Asthma
30-second Asthma Test
Is your asthma is well controlled?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, review the results with your provider or certified asthma educator.
- Do you need to use your rescue inhaler 4 or more times a week (including for exercise)?
- Does your asthma prevent you from exercising?
- Do you wake up 1 or more nights a week because of asthma symptoms (coughing, wheezing, chest tightness)?
- Do you experience asthma symptoms 4 or more days a week (coughing, wheezing, chest tightness)?
- Do you ever stay home (from school, work, daycare, etc.) due to your asthma?
- If you use a peak flow meter, are your peak flow readings or breathing test results outside normal levels as specified by your doctor?
- Does your asthma get worse when you have a respiratory tract infection (e.g., a cold or the flu)?
- Does your asthma get worse at certain times of the year (e.g., allergies, cold, humidity)?
Asthma Action Plan
We recommend that all people with asthma should have an “Action Plan”. An Action Plan gives you direction for how to manage your asthma when you notice your symptoms getting worse.
A blank Asthma Action Plan (pdf) is available for you to review. If you do not have an Asthma Action Plan, please ask your doctor at your next visit.
If this Action Plan conflicts with what your doctor has advised you to do please follow the doctor’s instructions.
If you are uncertain of what to do or you believe your asthma is out of control please see your family doctor.
Using your inhaler
As many as 50% of people may not be using their inhalers correctly. This could include breathing too fast or too slow, covering a vent hole, not holding your breath after inhaling, not waiting long enough between sprays, using the wrong cleaning method and more.
It is a good idea to bring your inhaler to your annual visit and demonstrate your technique. Small changes in how you use your inhaler could mean better control of your asthma (and less medication waste).
The Lung Association has developed instruction showing good inhaler technique.
More information
The Lung Association has more information about asthma.