A well-designed asthma action plan can be a great tool to effectively manage the condition on a daily basis. Chronic asthma patients (and parents of children who suffer from it) know the stress associated with the frightening acute attacks and even long-term disabilities associated with the condition. Twenty-two million Americans, many of them children, suffer from chronic asthma.
Have a Plan
Having an asthma action plan in place can alleviate much of the stress and worry – and potentially save the patient’s life.
Elements of an Action Plan
An effective asthma plan should include both long-term and acute management medications. It also should help identify and assess the severity of an attack and include treatment options preferable to the patient.
The action plan is typically broken down into three zones:
- Green: I feel good
- Yellow: I do not feel so good
- Red: I feel awful
Asthma guidelines recommend using a peak flow meter to measure the maximum amount of expiratory airflow. For your action plan, record your best readings when you are healthy, and then compare readings after an asthma attack. For instance, an asthma attack is considered in the red zone – or severe – when the peak flow reading is < 50% of the normal value or “personal best.” Severe attacks may require immediate medical attention.
Source: ©2014 Express Scripts Holding Company. All Rights Reserved. EME25781-7-2014