When your asthma is well-controlled, you experience very few symptoms throughout the day and night and you can perform daily activities without shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing or wheezing. It is recommended that people with asthma monitor their symptoms daily. The information below can help you determine your level of asthma control.
Assessing Asthma Control
Tracking asthma symptoms is a key component to keeping asthma in good control. Knowing how much of what medicine to take, and when, is based on your symptoms and can be found in your Asthma Action Plan.
There are four key symptoms that you should monitor to help you keep your asthma under control:
There are two easy ways to check your asthma control:
Monitoring Symptoms
To help monitor your symptoms, keep a journal or diary. A symptoms journal or diary can be an important communication tool to share with your healthcare provider. It also can help you determine whether your asthma is getting worse. To help make tracking easier, incorporate it into your daily living such as keeping a note on your smartphone, use an electronic blog, download one of the many apps available, use your health tracking app built into your phone or device. Whatever works best for your needs.
Using a Peak Flow Meter
Some healthcare providers like to recommend a peak flow meter to anyone with a new diagnosis of asthma. It can be especially helpful in children. A peak flow meter may help them recognize the signs and symptoms of their asthma getting worse.
Page last updated: October 23, 2024