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Asthma

Asthma management plan

Downloadable PDF version  | En Español

An asthma management plan is a special plan that the doctor will make. This plan will help you know what to do when asthma is in control and when asthma symptoms start to act up. The asthma management plan will help to know:

  • What medicines are needed every day
  • Early signs of an asthma problem
  • What to do when asthma symptoms begin
  • What to do when asthma symptoms get worse
  • When to call the doctor

The plan is split into three colored zones: green, yellow and red.

Green. Green means "GO." Asthma is in good control and there are no asthma symptoms. Follow these steps:

  1. Take daily control medicine every day even if there are no asthma symptoms
  2. Take rescue medicine 15 minutes before exercise or sports if needed

Yellow. Yellow means asthma symptoms are staring to act up. Symptoms like coughing, runny nose, wheezing, or chest tightness might be starting.

  1. Start quick relief medicine right away to keep symptoms from getting worse
  2. Continue to take the green zone daily control medicines
  3. Call the doctor if you are in the yellow zone for more than 24 hours
  4. Follow any special instructions given by the doctor

Red. Red means danger. It has become very hard to breathe. Take immediate action.

  1. Increase the quick relief medicine as instructed in the plan and call the doctor right away
  2. Go to the emergency room or call 911, if the doctor cannot be reached

Asthma management plans are important tools to share with schools and daycare providers.

This is an example of an asthma action plan:
GREEN ZONE GO- DOING WELL!
  • Breathing is good
  • No cough or wheeze
  • Can do normal
    activities 
 Step 1: Always use a spacer with your metered dose inhaler
Daily Control Medicine
Step 2: If exercise triggers your asthma, take the following medication(s) 15 minutes before exercise or sports
Quick relief (rescue) inhaler 
YELLOW ZONE  CAUTION! GETTING WORSE! AVOID ASTHMA TRIGGERS!
  • Coughing
  • Cold symptoms
  • Wheeze
  • Tight chest
  • Cough at night 
 Step 1: ADD quick relief medications
Quick relief (rescue) inhaler
Step 2: Keep taking Green Zone medications as prescribed
Step 3: If you are in the YELLOW ZONE more than 24 hours or your symptoms are getting worse, follow RED ZONE instructions 
RED ZONE  EMERGENCY!! GET HELP NOW!! TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION!! DANGER!!
  • Medicine is not working
  • Breathing is hard and fast
  • Nose opens wider
  • Ribs sticking out
  • Trouble walking, talking, or sleeping 
 Step 1: Take this quick relief medicine NOW!
Quick relief (rescue) inhaler
Step 2: Call your healthcare provider (doctor or nurse) NOW!
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR OR NURSE, GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OR CALL 911 RIGHT AWAY! 
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