Asthma action plan: Signs only

Return to Index Step 1: Taking Control of Your Asthma Step 2: What is Asthma? Step 3: Know the Signs Step 4: How Asthma Is Diagnosed Step 5: The Levels of Severity Step 6: Determine Your Goals and Expectations Step 7: Asthma Drugs Step 8: Drug Delivery Devices Step 9: Understand Your Action Plan Step 10: Make "Peak Flow" a Habit! Step 11: Avoid Asthma Triggers Step 12: Visit Your Doctor Regularly Key Points Glossary

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GREEN ZONE: I'm Doing Well

I have no cough, wheeze, chest tightness, or shortness of breath during the day or night. I can do my usual activities. I take these drugs every day:

DRUG:_________________________ HOW MUCH & WHEN:_________________________

Additional instructions:

YELLOW ZONE: My Asthma Is Getting Worse

I have coughing, or wheezing, or chest tightness, or shortness of breath, or waking at night due to asthma. Or, I can do some -- but not all -- of my usual activities.

I add this quick relief drug (and keep taking my GREEN ZONE drugs):

DRUG:_________________________ HOW MUCH & WHEN:_________________________

Additional instructions:

RED ZONE: Medical Alert!

I am very short of breath, or quick-relief drugs have not helped, or I cannot do usual activities, or symptoms are the same/worse after 24 hours in the yellow zone.

DRUG:_________________________ HOW MUCH & WHEN:_________________________

After taking this drug, call the doctor NOW! Go to the hospital or call 911 for an ambulance if still in the red zone after 15 minutes AND I have not reached my doctor.

DANGER SIGNS:

Trouble walking and talking due to shortness of breath.
Lips or fingernails are blue.

Take 4 or 6 puffs of quick relief medicine and go to the hospital/call an ambulance!

Review Date: 5/16/2007
Reviewed By: Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Department of Pediatrics, Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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