Asthma Action Plan to Manage Asthma

People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. Certain triggers cause the muscles around their airways to tighten, the lining of their airways to become inflamed and swollen and extra mucus to be secreted, making
air passages narrower and breathing difficult.

Symptoms of asthma include:

• A dry cough, especially at night, early in the morning, with exercise or with activity
• Wheezing or whistling sound with breathing
• Breathlessness (shortness of breath)
• Chest tightness

Asthma management aims to keep
a person completely free of asthma symptoms and prevent lung damage
from asthma. It involves managing asthma triggers and correct use of asthma medicines. Special breathing exercises may also help.

For best possible control 
of symptoms, people with asthma are advised to visit their doctor or health clinic regularly to:

• Assess asthma symptoms
• Review asthma management and medicines
• Develop and review a written Asthma Action Plan to manage worsening asthma.
• Always carry a reliever (blue) inhaler with you. If you need to use a reliever more than two days a week (not counting before exercise), your asthma may not be as well controlled as it could be. Check with a doctor.
• Monitor asthma symptoms and control regularly using a peak flow meter or an ‘asthma assessment tool’ (e.g. asthma score). Ask a doctor, pharmacist or asthma educator for advice.
• Know how to recognise worsening asthma and how to use your Asthma Action Plan.
• Teach your family, friends and co- workers First Aid for Asthma.
• Don’t smoke and avoid other people’s smoke.
• Exercise regularly. Always warm up and, if necessary, use your reliever inhaler before exercise.
• Check with your doctor or pharmacist before stopping or starting any medicines, including non-prescription and complementary medicines.
• Wear identification (e.g. a MedicAlert bracelet), that says you have asthma.

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