![\"An](\"https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/asthma-education-what-happens-in-lungs-when-you-have-asthma.png\")
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This swelling, clogging, and muscle tightening makes your airways smaller or narrower. This makes it harder for air to flow easily through your airways, and it becomes harder to breathe. This causes asthma symptoms, also known as an asthma episode, flare-up, or attack.<\/strong> It can happen at any time. Mild symptoms may only last a few minutes while more severe asthma symptoms can last hours or days.<\/p>\n Breathing becomes difficult and stressful, like trying to breathe through a straw stuffed with cotton.<\/p>\n Common signs and symptoms of asthma include:<\/strong><\/p>\n Not everyone with asthma has the same symptoms. You may only have one symptom, or you may have many symptoms.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ toggle_icon=”L||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”20px” admin_label=”Accordions” module_class=”accord” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” toggle_font=”|600|||||||” toggle_font_size=”22px” closed_toggle_font=”|600|||||||” closed_toggle_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#505050″ body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.4em” body_link_font=”||||on|||#008C99|” text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” border_width_all=”0px” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”closed” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What Are the Signs and Symptoms of an Asthma Episode or Attack?” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n If you have asthma, work with your doctor to make an Asthma Action Plan. An Asthma Action Plan is a document that tells you how to manage your asthma according to your symptoms.<\/p>\n Talk with your doctor about your symptoms and steps to manage them. If you do not have an Asthma Action Plan, you can download and email AAFA\u2019s Asthma Action Plan<\/a> (available in English<\/a> and Spanish<\/a>) to your doctor or print a copy for your doctor to fill out.<\/p>\n Take your asthma medicines as directed on your Asthma Action Plan, and always take your quick-relief medicines at the first sign of symptoms.<\/p>\n An asthma action plan has three zones:<\/p>\n Take your control or preventive medicines as directed (if prescribed). You are in the Green\/Go Zone if you have all of these:<\/p>\n Green\/Go Zone Actions<\/strong><\/p>\n If exercise is an asthma trigger, your Asthma Action Plan may have you take \u200bquick-relief medicine before you exercise to prevent asthma symptoms before you begin (sometimes referred to as \u201cpre-treatment”). This will be listed on the Green\/Go Zone of the plan.<\/p>\n When you are in the Green\/Go Zone, your asthma is well-controlled.<\/p>\n Asthma Yellow\/Caution Zone<\/strong><\/p>\n You are in the Yellow\/Caution Zone when you first start having asthma signs or symptoms. Signs and symptoms that your asthma is getting worse include:<\/p>\n Yellow\/Caution Zone Actions<\/strong><\/p>\n Take your asthma medicines as listed on your Asthma Action Plan at the first sign of symptoms when you are in the Yellow\/Caution Zone. This may be one quick-relief medicine (like albuterol), a quick-relief medicine and controller taken one right after each other, or a combination inhaler. Monitor your symptoms until they improve.<\/p>\n If your quick-relief medicines don\u2019t help and your symptoms do not improve, call your doctor.<\/p>\n If you are in the Yellow\/Caution Zone two or more times per week, it is a sign your asthma is not controlled and you may need to contact your health care provider (doctor).<\/p>\n If you are in the Red\/Danger Zone, take your quick-relief medicines.<\/strong> If your breathing does not improve quickly, get emergency help. Severe asthma episodes can be life-threatening.<\/strong><\/p>\n Signs and symptoms of an asthma emergency that need urgent medical care:<\/p>\n Infants, toddlers, and children may have different asthma emergency signs and symptoms than adults. Signs and symptoms of a severe asthma episode in infants, toddlers, and children:<\/strong><\/p>\n Red\/Danger Zone Actions<\/strong><\/p>\n Red\/Danger Zone symptoms are a medical emergency. Take your quick-relief medicines right away as directed on your Asthma Action Plan and then get immediate medical attention. Call 911 or go directly to the emergency room.<\/p>\n Follow up with your provider within two days of an emergency department visit or hospital stay.<\/p>\n Sometimes you may have early warning signs that an asthma episode is coming. You may have these signs before you start to have more obvious asthma symptoms. Identifying warning signs and taking steps to prevent asthma episodes can help keep asthma well-controlled. Early warning signs may be different for each person, but some common warning signs can include:<\/p>\n Your doctor can help you identify your early warning signs. When you have early warning signs, treat this as if you are in the Yellow\/Caution Zone. Take your quick-relief asthma medicines as soon as you start to have early warning signs.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How Can I Prevent and Treat Asthma Symptoms?” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n There is no cure for asthma, but it can be managed. There are two steps to controlling asthma: taking medicines and avoiding or limiting asthma triggers.<\/p>\n To prevent asthma symptoms:<\/p>\n To treat sudden asthma symptoms:<\/p>\n Talk with your doctor about your asthma symptoms and be sure to discuss any changes in your asthma control. With proper\u00a0treatment\u00a0and an\u00a0asthma management plan, you can reduce your symptoms and enjoy a better quality of life.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How Do I Know If My Asthma Is Not Well-Controlled?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n A good way to know if your asthma is not well-controlled is by answering these questions:<\/p>\n If you answer \u201cyes” to any of these questions,\u200b talk with your doctor.<\/strong><\/p>\n If your asthma is not well-controlled, your daily activities may be limited. You may miss work or school. You may increase your chances of having complications from a respiratory infection. And you may be at greater risk for going to the emergency room, staying in the hospital, or even dying from asthma.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Why Does My Asthma Act Up at Night?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Asthma can get worse at night. If you have symptoms at night, it’s called nighttime asthma<\/strong>. This is often a sign of uncontrolled asthma. It probably has to do with natural body rhythms and changes in your body’s hormones. With the right asthma management and treatment, you should be able to sleep through the night.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What Other Tools Can I Use for Monitoring Asthma Control?” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Peak Flow Meter<\/strong><\/p>\n Sometimes doctors recommend a peak flow meter<\/a> \u2013 a handheld device that measures how well air moves out of your lungs. A peak flow meter, when used every day, can spot reduced airflow before you notice the signs and symptoms of an asthma episode.<\/p>\n Peak flow meter readings can help you monitor your asthma control. But they are just one tool. Your peak flow meter reading is not the only indicator of asthma control. Always follow your Asthma Action Plan.<\/p>\n Pulse Oximeter<\/strong><\/p>\n Doctors use pulse oximeters (or \u201cpulse ox”) to measure how much oxygen your blood is carrying. Some people with asthma may experience a drop in their oxygen levels in their blood.<\/p>\n Pulse oximeters you can buy online and use at home are not as accurate as medical grade devices. Monitoring your blood oxygen levels with pulse oximeters is not a recommended part of home management of asthma.<\/p>\n Lung Function <\/strong>Tests<\/strong><\/p>\n Your allergist (allergy and asthma doctor) or pulmonologist (lung doctor) may use different lung function tests to assess your asthma control. Learn more about the tests used to diagnose and monitor asthma<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_text admin_label=”Definition callout” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” link_font=”||||on|||#008c99|” link_text_color=”#008c99″ link_line_height=”1.7em” ul_line_height=”1.7em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” header_3_font=”|600|||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#008c99″ header_3_font_size=”28px” background_color=”#25408f” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Asthma Medicines: Control and Quick-Relief or a Combination?<\/strong><\/p>\n Your provider will prescribe asthma medicines to help you control or prevent symptoms as well as medicines that work to relieve symptoms when they happen. You may be prescribed two separate medicines, or a medicine that combines them into one.<\/p>\n The medicines your doctor prescribes will depend on the severity of your asthma. Follow your Asthma Action Plan to know which medicines to take and when to take them. Your plan may call for:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Medical Review” module_class=”med-rev” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”16px” link_text_color=”#008C99″ link_font_size=”16px” header_5_font=”|600|||||||” header_5_text_align=”left” header_5_text_color=”#008c99″ custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Medical Review<\/a> July 2021 by Bradley A. Becker, MD, and January 2022 by Mitchell Grayson, MD<\/small><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Print” module_id=”print” module_class=”clearfix” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”5156″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n
\n![\"Green](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/asthma-green-go-zone.png\")
Asthma Green\/Go Zone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\n![\"Yellow](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/asthma-yellow-caution-zone.png\")
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\n![\"Red](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/asthma-red-danger-zone.png\")
Asthma Red\/Danger Zone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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\nEarly Warning Signs of an Asthma Episode or Attack<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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