What's an Asthma Action Plan, and Why Should I Have One?

What's an Asthma Action Plan, and Why Should I Have One?

While asthma can be predictable, the disease also has a way of catching you off guard and, worse, unprepared. More than 20 million adults and 6 million kids in the United States have asthma, and each of these sufferers can benefit from an asthma action plan that helps keep them one step ahead of the disease.

At Michael Bazel, M.D.Dr. Bazel and our team specialize in asthma, and we understand the importance of having a solid management and action plan in place. 

Here, we explore what we mean by an asthma action plan, the importance of such a plan, and how we can develop yours. 

What is an asthma action plan?

An asthma action plan plays several roles in helping you better manage your asthma. For example, a typical asthma action plan includes the following information:

You can use an asthma action plan as a daily reminder, a guideline for activity, and a plan of action should your asthma worsen.

Let’s say you wake up and you’re feeling fine, so you take your normal preventive medicines. After a walk outside, however, you start to wheeze or cough. You can quickly consult your asthma action plan to determine what steps you should take to clear your airways.

Why an asthma action plan is important

You’ve had your asthma for quite some time now, and you know the drill, right? Not so fast. Even if you have everything committed to memory, when you start to feel symptoms, or worse, you’re struggling to breathe, your mind can go blank. 

With an asthma action plan, you can quickly review the checklist of symptoms, compare your peak flow measurements, and figure out the right dosing of your medications. More importantly, this plan tells you when you should seek help for your asthma through our urgent care or at a neighboring ER.

Developing your asthma action plan

The best way to develop an asthma action plan is to sit down with us so we can fill out your plan and discuss any concerns or questions you may have. To give you an idea, here’s a template of a commonly used asthma action plan. 

We print this out and fill it in together, going over each section thoroughly, so you understand the plan fully. 

We also suggest that, once we complete your plan, you make several copies to keep wherever you might need them, such as in your house, in your car, at work, etc. We’ll also keep a copy on file at our office.

If you’d like to get your asthma action plan in place, call one of our conveniently located offices in the greater Los Angeles area in Panorama City, Bell, and Valley Village, California, to schedule an appointment. Or, you can also request an appointment online.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Who Should Be Tested for STDs, and How Often?

If you think that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are something you don’t need to worry about, think again. STDs are at all-time highs in the United States, which makes testing a very good idea.

Here's What an EKG Can Reveal About Your Heart

February is American Heart Month in the United States, so we want to focus on this very important area of your health. More specifically, how a simple test called an EKG can change the course of your life.

How to Prevent the Flu From Becoming Pneumonia

With flu season in full swing, pneumonia becomes more of a clear and present danger. Here’s a look at who should be concerned and why it’s not too late to prevent either illness from developing.

Important Steps to Take After a Work Injury

You’ve injured yourself on the job and you want to take the necessary steps to get the medical attention you need and to have your costs covered. Here, we review what you should do after a work injury.

How to Manage Fall Pollen Allergies

There’s much to like about fall, but if you suffer from fall allergies, you may not be welcoming autumn weather with open arms. Fortunately, there are things you can do to reduce your symptoms, like the nine tips we list here.