An asthma action plan is a comprehensive written guide to managing an asthma condition. The guide is developed by a physician and personalized for each patient. It offers detailed information on when asthma medications should be taken, what types should be used, what dosages are best and what to do in the event of a severe reaction.

In addition to being a great general guide to everyday asthma management, an asthma action plan also outlines how to prevent more severe reactions. By listing triggers and symptoms that may be associated with an asthma attack, the plan can help an individual to prevent or quickly suppress an attack. The plan also uses peak flow numbers to help asthmatic individuals keep track of their lung function – an objective indicator of how blocked their airways may be.

In the event of a severe reaction, the plan provides emergency information such as physician phone numbers, hospital phone numbers and medicine recommendations. This information can help a person with a severe reaction keep calm and get help quickly. Parents can provide the plan to their child’s school or care provider to be sure their child gets the proper care when away from home.

A person should create an asthma action plan with the help of a physician because the plan includes critical medical information, including what types of medications should be taken in the event of an emergency. Many physicians will be able to provide pre–made forms to make this process easier. Plans should be updated frequently as medical conditions change.