Asthma - 4 - Condition & Symptoms

Possible Action Steps

Discuss maintaining peak flow measures in a healthy range (as measured by the peak flow meter):
- Encourage individual to adhere to doctor prescribed medication and diet/activity and smoking cessation and avoidance of asthma triggers.
- Encourage individual to pay close attention to the timing of taking medication throughout the day and the use/overuse of quick-relief medication.
Discuss maintaining asthma Green Zone status by:
- Carefully avoiding known triggers at home, work, and while traveling.
- Manage emotions/stress: don't underestimate the negative impact on asthma symptoms, as well as overall health and well being.
- Continue to not smoke (or use tobacco products) or continue efforts to quit permanently.
- Continue to stay active in ways that do not cause exercise-induced asthma.
- Continue to limit calories to about 200 calories per day for women and about 2500 calories per day for men (differs based on height, weight and activity level)

Supporting Resources

Possible Action Steps

Together, refresh and improve asthma IQ by reviewing asthma resources/topics not provided to date.
Discuss tips to make better use of office visits and improve communication with providers.
Together, brainstorm the many ways and opportunities that people can deviate from their plans to live a healthy lifestyle and adhere to the doctor's prescribed medication schedule.
Have individual identify the ways that are most likely to throw them off-track with asthma control.
Together, brainstorm ways to get back on track with asthma control.
Together, brainstorm ways to get back on track when work-related travel, holidays, or vacations take the individual to new locales where there are hidden or new asthma triggers.
Discuss the possibility of having an asthma attack at home, work, or while traveling. Have a plan to mitigate the symptoms and get needed care.
Encourage individual to have her/his Asthma Action Plan handy in purse or wallet at all times.
Encourage individual to inform friends/family/co-workers where they can find his/her Asthma Action Plan and the importance of following the plan in case of a serious asthma attack.

Supporting Resources

Possible Action Steps

Identify upcoming potential threats to effective asthma self-management: changes in weather, worsening air quality index, weekends, holidays, personal financial problems, vacation, business trip, changes in season, changes in the growing cycle, family emergency, stressful and/or emotional situations, etc.
Together, develop ongoing awareness of situations that could negatively impact healthy lifestyle and asthma or peak flow control. Discuss a plan to proactively get back on track.
Discuss the individual reactions in emotional and/or stressful situations, and the benefits of reacting with health promoting behaviors rather than health harming behaviors (smoking, inactivity, overeating).
Have the individual write up a written plan for dealing with a situation where it will be difficult to maintain positive lifestyle changes.

Supporting Resources

Possible Action Steps

Encourage individual to further increase physical activity that does not cause breathing problems to optimize health and fitness.
Discuss kitchen arrangement and correlation to healthy food behaviors.
Encourage individual to vary physical activity regimen by taking a dance, swimming, horseback riding, or canoeing class.
Discuss limiting alcohol to one drink a day (women) or two drinks a day (men) and note the positive effect on health, including blood glucose and blood pressure control.
Encourage individual to locate a running or walking partner to renew your interest in staying fit over the long haul.
Encourage individual to join an hon line heart health program (like Heart360).
Encourage individual to find out more about the American Lung Association and local/state ALA affiliate organizations.
Encourage individual to investigate complementary and alternative treatments for managing asthma and peak flow. Ask doctor which ones might be right for them to try.

Supporting Resources