According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), asthma leads to 2 million emergencyroom visits and about 500,000 hospital stays each year. It also results in 4,500 deaths annually. However, with the right medical care and self-management, most sufferers can lead very active, healthy lives, says the NHLBI.

Knowing when to take medicine and how much to take can be confusing—especially in an emergency. That’s why having a written asthma action plan is so helpful. These plans act like personal “guidebooks” for handling asthma. They give easy instructions on what to do and when.

An asthma action plan is an individualized set of instructions that your doctor develops for you. It uses your symptoms and peak flow meter readings to help you pinpoint how much your asthma is under control. With this information, you can rate the severity of your condition based on the plan’s simple color code:

• Green means that your asthma is under control.
• Yellow is a signal that your asthma is getting worse.
• Red warns of a medical emergency.

For each color stage, your doctor will outline exactly which medicine to take, when, and how much. And it tells you if you should call for help.

Several studies have found that these written plans can really be a big help to people with asthma, according to a recent article in the journal American Family Physician. Sufferers who used a plan to manage their asthma had fewer emergencyroom visits, fewer hospital stays, and better lung function than those who didn’t use a plan.

If you don’t have an asthma action plan, ask your doctor if one might help you.

Respiratory Services at Western Baptist

For most people, breathing is second nature. But for those who suffer from breathing problems caused by injury or illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, each breath can be a major accomplishment. Western Baptist Hospital’s Respiratory Care Department offers breathing treatments and services for all ages. For more information, call 270-575-2172.