Asthma diary

Asthma diary

Managing asthma

When asthma medication is used effectively, symptoms are minimized or abolished, good air-flow rate is maintained and “rescue” medicine is rarely necessary. An asthma diary can help patients learn to monitor their condition and determine, with their physician, which medications should be taken.

An asthma diary helps monitor:
✓ Peak flow rate, the maximum speed that air can flow out of the lungs. The rate is measured by taking a deep breath and breathing out quickly through a device known as a peak flow meter and noted as a percentage of the patient’s best rate when no symptoms are present.
✓ Medications being used.
✓ Symptoms and their severity, including wheezing, coughing, the ability to maintain physical activity and the ability to sleep.

LABELS:
ASTHMA
DIARY
Name
O – Before bronchiodialator
X – After bronchiodialator
Date Trigger, Comments
PEAK FLOW RATE
RED ZONE
100% GREEN ZONE
80% HIGH YELLOW ZONE
65% LOW YELLOW ZONE
MEDICATIONS
GREEN
YELLOW
RED
SYMPTOMS
Wheeze
Cough
Activity
Sleep

Text and illustrations by Kevin T. Boyd


Acupressure for asthma
Here are lists of acupressure points for Asthma, on PointFinder.org.
If this is your first time, please read the instructions. Don’t use acupressure to replace standard emergency procedures or licensed medical treatment. If you are seriously injured or have acute symptoms seek urgent medical treatment.