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Signs
and Symptoms:
- A
cough that lasts
more than a week
- Shortness
of breath
- Breathing
gets harder and may
hurt. It is harder
to breahte out than
in.
- Wheezing
(a whistling sound
while breathing)
- Tightness
in the chest
(Note:
Symptoms are worse at
night.)
[Go
to Self-Care Prevention]
Still
not sure? Ask yourself
with these questions.
1.
Do you have asthma with
any of these problems?
- Blue
lips or fingernails
- Extreme
shortness of breath.
(It may seem feel
as if you can't breathe
at all or you can't
say 4 or 5 words
between breaths.)
- Listlessness
or severe weakness
- Dizziness;
fainting
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
get immediate care.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
2. Do
you have asthma with
any of these problems?
- Wheezing
and you are currenlty
taking steroid medicine
or wheezing that
doesn't stop after
your presribed treatment
- Coughing
so much that you
can't take a breath
- A
fever with heavy
breathing
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
get immediate care.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
3. Do
you have asthma and
use the Peak Flow Zone
System and is your
peak expiratory flow
rate (PEFR) below 50%
of your personal best
number?
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
get immediate care.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
4.
Do you have asthma with
any of these problems?
- You
can't walk up a flight
or more of stairs
or between rooms.
- you
can't sleep or eat
due to shortness
of breath.
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
get immediate care.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
5.
Do you have asthma, are
you taking steroid medicine,
and do you have a cold,
the flu, or bronchitis?
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
6. Do
you have asthma and
use the Peak Flow Zone
System and is your
peak expiratory flow
rate (PEFR) 50 to 80%
of your personal best
number?
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
7. Do
you have asthma and
have symptoms at rest,
with exercise, early
in the morning, or
at night?
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
8. Do
you have asthma and
any of the following
problems that are not
managed with adjustments
in medication as instructed
in your personal action
plan?
- Breathing
faster than usual
or it is harder to
breathe
- Shortness
of breath occurs
more often
- A
cough which keeps
you awake at night
- An
asthma attach does
not respond to prescribed
medication and/or
self-care like it
used to
- Asthma
attacks are coming
more often and/or
are getting worse.
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
9. Have
you not been diagnosed
with asthma, but have
any signs and symptoms
of asthma?
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
10.
Do you use your bronchodilator
more than 2 times a week?
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
11. Do
you have asthma and
have any of these problems?
- You
cough at night or
have a cough that
does not respond
to medication.
- You
are not sleeping
well.
- You
are tired of are
less able to perform
daily activities.
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no,
continue on to the
next question.
12.
Do you have asthma and
need medicine refills?
If yes to
one of these symptoms
described above, please
see your doctor.
If no to
all questions, use
self-care prevention.
Self-Care/
Prevention
- Drink
2 to 3 quarts
of fluids a
day to keep
secretions
loose.
- Don't
smoke. Avoid
secondhand
smoke and air
pollution.
- Avoid
your asthma triggers
and try to keep
your dorm room
or bedroom allergen-free:
- Vacuum
and dust
often.
Wear
a dust
filter
mask
when
you do.
- Sleep
with
no pillow
or the
kind
your
doctor
recommends.
Wash
pillows
and sheets
weekly.
Replace
pillows
every
2 to
3 years.
- Totally
enclose
your
mattress,
box springs,
and pillows
in allergen-proof
covers.
Wash
mattress
pads
in hot
water
every
week.
- Use
curtains
and throw
rugs
that
can be
washed
often.
Don't
use carpeting.
- Reduce
clutter
in your
room.
Store
items
in plastic
containers
with
lids.
- Use
a portable
air purifier,
such
as one
with
HEPA
filter,
if you
can.
- Use
an air
conditioner
in the
summer,
if possible.
- Stay
out of the
cold weather
as much as
you can. When
you are outside
in cold weather,
wear a scarf
around your
mouth and nose
to warm the
air as you
breathe in.
- Stop
exercising
if you start
wheezing.
- Use
your peak flow
meter as advised.
Keep records
of results.
- Don't
take over-the-counter
medicines unless
cleared first
with your health
care provider.
Take your medicine
as prescribed.
- Keep
your medicine
for asthma
attacks handy.
Take it at
teh start of
an attack.
- During
an asthma attack,
sit up; dont
lie down. Keep
calm. Focus on
breathing slow
and easy. Remove
yourself from
any stressors.
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