Based on the table below, you can determine if your asthma is:
- Well controlled
- Not well controlled
- Very poorly controlled
For example, if you are waking up 2 nights per week with cough or feeling short of breath, your asthma is in the not well controlled category. You may want to review your asthma care plan based on your symptoms or discuss with your doctor if you are in the not well controlled or very poorly controlled categories.
Interpreting the Table
Use the following to interpret the table:
- Symptoms: How many days in the last week have you experienced chest tightness, cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing?
- Nighttime awakenings: How often due you awake at night with chest tightness, cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing?
- Rescue inhaler use: How many times in the last week have you used your rescue inhaler?
- Peak flow (PEF): What is your current peak flow compared to your personal best peak flow?
Sources:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed: January 1, 2009. Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma
Clinical Pulmonary Function Testing, Exercise Testing, and Disability Evaluation. In Chest Medicine: Essentials Of Pulmonary And Critical Care Medicine. Editors: Ronald B. George, Richard W. Light, Richard A. Matthay, Michael A. Matthay. May 2005, 5th edition.
How Well Is Your Asthma Controlled? | |||||||||||||||
| Well Controlled | Not Well Controlled | Very Poorly Controlled | |
| Symptoms | 2 or less days per week | More than 2 days per week | Daily |
| Nighttime Awakenings | Less than 2 X's per month | 1-3 X's per week | 4 or more times per week |
| Rescue Inhaler Use | 2 or less days per week | More than 2 days per week | Daily |
| Peak Flow (PEF) | 80% or greater PEF | 60-80% PEF | Less than 60% PEF |
