Why Having an Asthma Care Plan is Vitally Important

Feb 09, 2023 Asthma

 

According to Asthma and Lung UK, 5.4 million people in the UK have asthma, “That's one in every 12 adults and one in every 11 children” - Asthma is a common condition and can affect people of any age.

Asthma is a condition that relates to the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe. Airways become narrowed due to irritation and inflammation, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, a tight chest, and difficulty sleeping. Triggers for asthma attacks can include exercise, pollen, dust, cold viruses, cold temperatures, stress, certain foods, and acid reflux. Avoiding these situations may help to prevent an attack.

As well as taking asthma medication, often the most effective way to treat the condition is by prevention. This is where an asthma care plan can be an invaluable tool.

 

What is an Asthma Care Plan?

An asthma care plan or action plan gives you and those around you a better understanding of your asthma. The plan is used to help you monitor the severity of your condition and to show you and your family and healthcare providers what works best for your when having symptoms or an attack.

 

Where Can I Get an Asthma Care Plan From?

You can get a form online or from your doctor's surgery and asthma clinic. You can download one from Asthma.org.uk here. It’s self-explanatory and easy to fill in.

 

What Information Goes into an Asthma Care Plan?

For your care plan to be truly useful, you need to include information about your triggers, the medication you take, any everyday care needs, what to do when you feel ill, and what happens during an attack. Your asthma care plan is unique to you and you can fill it in by yourself or with your GP or whoever supports your asthma care.

Important!

You must keep the form available at all times in case you have to go to the hospital. Keep a copy somewhere visible in your home, one at work or take a  copy with you when out and about.

 

How to Get the Most Out of Your Asthma Action Plan

Keep Your Plan Handy

It doesn't do you much good in a drawer or on top of a cupboard. Put a copy on your noticeboard, have a digital copy on your phone that is visible and easy to access and of course, make sure there is one on the fridge.

 

Update Your Plan

For the plan to be effective it must be kept up to date and reviewed annually to monitor your health and the effectiveness of your treatment. You must take your asthma care plan to all appointments. This includes regular check-ups and any emergency appointments, such as after having to call NHS 111 or go to urgent care/see the out-of-hours GP. The information from those appointments can be used to update your plan as well as inform those around you and dealing with your care.

 

Make Sure Others Have a Copy

It isn’t just your family and your GP who need to see your plan. What about when you are at work? If you take a fitness class or similar, it’s important that your trainer knows about and has a copy of your plan.

Remember, asthma needs to be taken care of every day, even if you feel good, to reduce the chance of having symptoms or asthma attacks.

 

Conclusion

Having an asthma care plan is an essential part of managing asthma and leading a healthy life. It includes strategies for prevention, regular monitoring of symptoms, and knowing what treatments to use if a flare-up occurs. With an appropriate plan in place, asthma can be effectively managed and does not have to have a significant impact on quality of life.

Here at Simply Meds Online, we are committed to helping you successfully manage your asthma. This might be through the information here on the blog or by making it easier than ever to get your meds, even in an emergency (such as if you’ve gone away and forgotten your prescription). You can read more about our emergency medication supply scheme here.