Ask Dr. K: Asthma requires ‘action plan’

DEAR DOCTOR K: My son was recently diagnosed with asthma. His doctor wants to put together an asthma “action plan.” What is that?

DEAR READER: Asthma is a complicated and serious disease. A person with asthma needs a plan for what to do at each stage of the disease.

Asthma assaults the lung’s airways. During an asthma attack, the airways get narrower as the muscles surrounding them constrict. The airways also become inflamed, and mucus fills the narrowed passageways. As a result, the flow of air is partially or completely blocked.

A mild asthma attack may cause wheezing, difficulty breathing or a persistent cough. Symptoms of a more severe attack can include extreme shortness of breath, chest tightness, flared nostrils and pursed lips.

Two types of medications are used to treat asthma: controllers and relievers. Controllers – usually inhaled corticosteroids – are medicines taken regularly to reduce the likelihood of asthma attacks. They reduce inflammation, which decreases mucus production and reduces tightening of airway muscles.

Relievers, or “rescue” medications, are used just during asthma attacks. They stop or reduce the severity of the attack by relaxing the muscles around the airways to improve airflow.

Everyone with asthma should have an asthma action plan. This is a written plan that details what you need to do to control your asthma. It also explains what to do when you experience asthma symptoms or in case of an emergency.

Asthma action plans are often divided into “zones.” For example:

GREEN ZONE: Doing well. No coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath; can do all usual activities. Take prescribed long-term controller medicine.

YELLOW ZONE: Getting worse. Coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath; waking at night; can do some, but not all, usual activities. Add quick-relief medicine.

RED ZONE: Medical alert! Very short of breath; quick-relief medicines don’t help; cannot do usual activities; symptoms no better after 24 hours in yellow zone. Get medical help now.