TIPS FOR CREATING AND FOLLOWING AN ASTHMA ACTION PLAN Being prepared is key for asthma patients and those who care for them Creating an action plan in consultation with a physician is an important step in preventing unexpected asthma attacks, and patients as well as those who care for them should understand how to create and use an action plan, says an expert from global health system Cleveland Clinic ahead of World Asthma Day on 3 May.
“It’s important for asthma patients and those who care for them to understand what their symptoms are and what they have to do if they’re getting worse,” says Cleveland Clinic pulmonary medicine specialist Nirosshan Thiruchelvam, MD. “It’s also important for patients to work with their healthcare providers to improve their symptoms rather than allowing them to get worse.” An asthma action plan prepares patients in case of an attack, while also improving their day-to-day lives. This plan can serve as a tool for patients as well as their caregivers and physicians. For parents, it’s an important resource for their child’s school nurse and teachers. Asthma plans usually include contact information and
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a list of medications that are divided into traffic colors or “zones”, usually color-coded in green, yellow and red. These zones help determine what steps to take depending on the severity of symptoms. The plan should also list items such as a person’s immunization history, including the dates of receiving flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. The different stages of the asthma plan make it clear what medications to use and what additional steps to take based on the symptoms. “The asthma plan takes any guesswork out of deciding what to do when a patient has an asthma attack,” Dr. Thiruchelvam explains. “Individualized care is key,” adds Dr. Thiruchelvam. “Especially when you’re treating asthma, there are two different paths. One is avoiding triggers and the other is treating the symptoms.”
As a plan isn’t one-size-fits-all, patients will fill in the different zones of their personal asthma plans when they see their physician. This should be updated during office
