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Definition (1)
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Risk factors (2)
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Symptoms (1)
- Symptom Checker
Tests and diagnosis (4)
- Asthma: Steps in testing and diagnosis
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Treatments and drugs (4)
- Asthma medications: Know your options
- Asthma treatment: 3 steps to better asthma control
- Asthma inhalers: Which one's right for you?
- see all in Treatments and drugs
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Asthma treatment: 3 steps to better asthma control
3. Adjust treatment according to your asthma action plan
When your lungs aren't working as well as they should be, you may need to adjust your medications according to the plan you made with your doctor ahead of time. Your written asthma action plan will let you know exactly when and how to make adjustments.
The chart below can help you determine if you're doing a good job of keeping your asthma under control. A similar system should be included in your asthma action plan. Depending on where your asthma control falls on the chart, you may need to make adjustments to your medications.
Levels of asthma control in children over 12 and adults
| Well-controlled 'Green zone' | Poorly controlled 'Yellow zone' | Very poorly controlled 'Red zone' |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Symptoms such as coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath | Two days a week or fewer | More than two days a week | Daily and throughout the night |
| Nighttime awakenings | Two times a month or fewer | One to three times a week | Four times a week or more |
| Effect on daily activities | None | Some limits | Extremely limiting |
| Quick-relief inhaler use to control symptoms | Two days a week or fewer | More than two days a week | Several times a day |
| Lung test readings | More than 80% of your predicted personal best | 60 to 80% of your predicted personal best | Less than 60% of your predicted personal best |
There are two main types of medications used to treat asthma:
- Long-term control medications such as inhaled corticosteroids are the most important medications used to keep asthma under control. These preventive medications treat the airway inflammation that leads to asthma symptoms. Used on a daily basis, these medications can reduce or eliminate asthma flare-ups.
- Quick-relief inhalers contain a fast-acting medication such as albuterol. These medications are sometimes called rescue inhalers. They're used as needed to quickly open your airways and make breathing easier. Knowing when to use these medications can help prevent an impending asthma attack.
Long-term control medications are the key to keeping your asthma in the green, or well-controlled, zone. If you frequently use a quick-relief inhaler to treat symptoms, your asthma isn't under control. See your doctor about making treatment changes.
Make sure you know how to use your asthma medications properly. They will only keep your asthma under control if you use them correctly.
Work with your doctor
Asthma symptoms and severity are always changing. Meet with your doctor on a regular basis to review your treatment. Take your asthma diary and asthma action plan with you when you go to the doctor. That way, you can review them together and make any needed changes to your treatment plan.
If you follow your asthma action plan but you're still having bothersome symptoms, make an appointment to see your doctor. You may need to increase or change your medications. On the other hand, if your asthma is well controlled all of the time, you may be able to reduce the amount of medication you take. If you have seasonal allergy triggers, your asthma medication may need to be increased at certain times of the year.
By taking these steps to keep your lungs functioning well every day, you'll help avoid asthma attacks and minimize the disruptions caused by asthma symptoms.
Previous page(2 of 2)
- Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma: Summary report 2007. Bethesda, Md.: National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthsumm.pdf. Accessed Oct. 8, 2010.
- Peters S, et al. Treatment of moderate persistent asthma in adolescents and adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 27, 2010.
- Mangan JM, et al. What do patients need to know about their asthma? http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept 27, 2010.
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