| Imagine a soccer team that avoided the ball, had no | | | | doctor is unfamiliar with asthma action plans or does |
| idea where their goal was, and spent all their time | | | | not have the form available in their office, one good |
| just trying to avoid their opponents. Many asthmatics | | | | form can be found at the American Lung |
| approach their lives in the same way-dealing with | | | | Association's website at [ |
| asthma attacks as they come up, but never taking | | | | 3) Identify Your Triggers-All asthmatics should keep a |
| control of their health. The majority of asthmatics do | | | | small notebook or calendar, noting their daily peak |
| not need to merely move from crisis to crisis, but by | | | | flowmeter readings as well as observations of what |
| following these four simple steps can regain active, | | | | seems to make their symptoms worse that day-a |
| full lives. | | | | cold, pollen, exercise, smoke, cold air, brushing the |
| 1) Get a Peak Flowmeter-Research has shown that | | | | dog, fragrances, the time of day, etc. |
| less than 22% of asthmatics have been given a | | | | 4) Take Steps to Eliminate or Minimize Your |
| prescription for a peak flowmeter from their | | | | Triggers-After observing patterns in their asthma |
| physician. Unfortunately, many individuals with asthma | | | | symptoms for a few weeks, the journal started in |
| are so used to not being able to breathe normally | | | | step three should be taken to one's physician and |
| that they are unable to tell when their respiratory | | | | ways to eliminate or at least minimize asthma triggers |
| status is worsening until they are in a crisis. By | | | | can be discussed. Getting a flu shot, covering pillows |
| getting a daily flowmeter reading, they can often tell | | | | and mattresses with hypoallergenic encasings are all |
| days or weeks before an attack is imminent and | | | | easy preventative measures. For triggers that cannot |
| take proactive steps to avoid it. | | | | be eliminated, a referral to an allergist should be |
| 2) Get an Asthma Action Plan-Less than 25% of | | | | obtained to explore the possibility of receiving |
| asthmatics have been given an asthma action plan by | | | | desensitization shots. |
| their physicians. This is an easy to follow instruction | | | | Although asthma cannot be cured, it certainly can be |
| sheet of exactly what to do when the peak | | | | controlled. By following these four steps, asthmatics |
| flowmeter reading is beginning to drop. If one's | | | | can lead more active, healthy lives. |