There are 2 ways to monitor your asthma—peak flow levels and symptom tracking. A recent study found that children who tracked their asthma symptoms had less trips to the emergency room. The study found that children who tracked their asthma symptoms were more likely to use their preventive asthma medicine, which helped to prevent asthma flare-ups. Plus, tracking asthma symptoms can be easier than peak flow measurements, which might mean it's more likely to get done.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: A few minutes each day
Here's How:
- First, make sure you have an Asthma Action Plan. This is the basic reference for your asthma symptom tracking. Your action plan (developed with the help of your doctor) will tell you what symptoms to be on the watch for.
- Next, use this form to record your daily symptoms, triggers you were exposed to, medicine you took, and other related information. You can print the form, make copies, and record your symptoms on it. Or, just use the form as a guideline for keeping records in your own notebook or diary.
- Record your daily PEFs using your peak flow meter, if advised to do so by your doctor.
- If you start to notice that you are having symptoms that are listed on your Asthma Action Plan or your PEFs are dropping to danger levels (see your plan), then follow the actions on the plan.
- It's also a good idea to look over your tracking diary at least once a week. Try to identify any patterns. Did your symptoms start up after you were exposed to any particular asthma triggers? How well did you respond to the medicine you took? Any other noteworthy findings?
- Be sure to share your asthma tracking diary with your doctor each time you go in for a visit.
Tips:
- Be sure to record both the frequency and the severity of your symptoms.
- Identify patterns, if you can, in your reactions to triggers.
What You Need:
- Notebook
- Your Asthma Action Plan
- Pen or pencil
