Boost your health with a tailormade asthma action plan

Vital for adults and children with asthma, asthma action plans are formulated in conjunction with your Mediclinic GP. 

They lay out how daily asthma management works, as well as how to handle a flare up, asthma attack, or emergency.

What is an asthma action plan?

“An asthma action plan is a written, individualised worksheet that shows the patient the steps to take to keep the asthma from getting worse,” explains Dr Gabaza Tiva, a paediatric pulmonologist at Mediclinic Limpopo. “It also provides guidance on when to call your healthcare provider or when to go to the emergency room.”

While it is given directly to adult patients, in the case of children who suffer from asthma, the plan is provided to parents, caregivers and the child’s school, providing them with a step-by-step guide on how to manage the child’s asthma and potential complications. Adults may also choose to give the plan to someone in their workplace so they know how to manage emergencies.

Tailormade for each patient, your or your child’s plan must provide advice on how to deal with your or their unique triggers – like cold air, dust, pollen or pets – as well as worrying symptoms to look out for and what medication to take depending on symptoms and lung capacity. To measure an older child’s or adult’s lung capacity, a handheld peak flow meter is used, which measures your ability to push air out of your lungs. A peak flow meter is very affordable and is something asthma sufferers are advised to keep at home. The plan dictates which measurement indicates that the asthma is worsening.

A child’s asthma action plan includes further details for caregivers such as names of medicines, when to take them and what dosage to administer. It also provides guidelines around when symptoms are worsening and how to manage this. For adult patients and caregivers of children with asthma, the plan also lays out what constitutes a medical emergency and contact details on whom to contact in such instances.

Why you need a plan

A tailormade asthma action plan has multiple benefits, says Dr Tiva. Not only does it reduce emergency visits to the doctor and hospital, but it has also been shown to improve your child’s asthma symptoms and, therefore, his or her quality of life. The same can be said for adult sufferers.

While, theoretically, you may know what to do when your or your child’s asthma becomes uncontrolled, having clear written instructions from your doctor on how to handle an emergency is invaluable. For parents of asthma patients, it is also an important practical guideline for anyone who takes care of your child when you’re not around.

Following an asthma action plan can help prevent sick days from school or work and reduce your or your child’s reliance on reliever medication. It also gives you more confidence to manage the condition effectively, reducing limitations on activities you or your child may be able to do and ultimately providing a greater sense of freedom.

Creating an asthma action plan with your Mediclinic doctor

Crafting an effective asthma action plan means having an in-depth consultation with your doctor and providing him or her with all the triggers and symptoms you experience and any other unique factors that may be relevant to your case.

“A child’s asthma action plan is reviewed every six months by the doctor,” says Dr Tiva. This is because symptoms and medication may be adjusted more frequently as a child grows up. For adults, the plan may be reviewed once a year, but it’s best to chat to your Mediclinic practitioner to agree on an appropriate interval. It may also be updated should your symptoms significantly change.