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Asthma is a condition that has to be taken very seriously unless you want to be stuck at home. That is why an action plan is so important when you decide to do something or go somewhere. An action plan needs to be developed with the help of your doctor or asthma specialist. It will allow your family to know what to do when you or your child has an asthma attack away from home. The plan is designed to help your family to know when there is a change in the severity of their asthma attacks and worsening symptoms they might be experiencing. When your family knows what they can do when you or your child has worse than normal symptoms, is priceless. This kind of information can actually save your life or the life of someone you love very much! You can organize your asthma action in a number of ways. The first thing to do is let everyone that will be with you or your child know the information of your daily treatment, such as what kinds of medications you take, how much you should have and when you should be taking them. Have the list of asthma triggers so they can be avoided or minimized. Next you should know how to identify worsening symptoms. The plan also needs to have peak air flow numbers so you can tell how bad the breathing has gotten. The numbers should include personal best peak air flow, moderate air flow and severe air flow to allow for the best response to an asthma attack. If they have an asthma attack that lasts longer than normal and their lips or finger nails begin to turn blue. You will need to get medical attention very quickly. Someone needs to take them to the hospital or call an ambulance, as these signs are life threatening. The people that care for your child such as babysitters, workers at their daycare, schools and camps should know and follow your action plan. These care givers should have had training on how to identify symptoms of asthma that could be life threatening. They should also be able to adjust medications in response to particular signs and symptoms. The best way to keep you or your child's asthma under control is daily monitoring and giving the right medications at the right time. The written plan makes it easier to take charge of you or your child's asthma and to track symptoms. Recognize and treat asthma attacks quickly. Know the warning signs so you can stay one step ahead of the attack. There are other important records that need to be kept with the action plan, these include the numbers to your doctor, the number to the hospital, the medications and doses they receive and when, a list of their asthma triggers, patient's medical chart including any allergies to medications and who to contact in case of an emergency. A copy of this plan should be passed out to your worksite, your child's day care; the school also including their coach or physical education teacher and kept on the child at all times to be safe. The goal of the asthma action plan is to reduce or prevent flare-ups and emergency room visits with day to day management and education to care givers. Each plan will be unique, as is each person's experience with asthma. Using an action plan that is created just for you may also help you to increase your activities without suffering from increased asthma symptoms. An action plan is an easy way to keep you in control of your asthma.
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