Monitoring Your Asthma

How to monitor your asthma 

Monitoring your asthma is one of the most important steps you can take to manage your condition effectively. Because symptoms, triggers and severity can vary from person to person, there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment. When you track your asthma daily, you gain valuable insights that can help you stay ahead of flare-ups and improve your quality of life. 

Create an asthma action plan 

After you’re diagnosed, your doctor will work with you to create an asthma action plan tailored to your needs. This written plan includes: 

• Your daily treatment and medications 
• How to monitor your symptoms and peak flow readings 
• What to do if your symptoms get worse 
• When to call your doctor or seek emergency care 

Your asthma action plan serves as a roadmap for managing your condition and helps you know what to do in different situations. 

Track your asthma symptoms daily 

Keeping a daily record of your asthma symptoms - even on days you feel well - can help you: 

• Identify early warning signs of worsening asthma 
• Recognize patterns or triggers (like pollen, cold air or exercise) 
• Share better information with your doctor during check-ups 

You can use a written asthma diary or a tracking app on your phone - whichever works best for you. 

Record your lung function 

In addition to tracking symptoms, using a peak flow meter at home can show how well your lungs are working. 

• A peak flow meter measures how quickly you can blow air out of your lungs 
• Regular testing helps track how your airways are responding to treatment 
• Your doctor can tell you how often to test and what numbers to look for 

This simple tool helps you spot early changes - even before you feel symptoms. 

Watch for changes 

While monitoring your asthma, pay attention to any patterns or signs that your condition may be getting worse, such as: 

• Needing your quick-relief inhaler more often 
• Symptoms happening more frequently during the week 
• A steady drop in peak flow readings 

If you notice these changes, follow the steps outlined in your asthma action plan - and contact your doctor to review your treatment if needed. 

You don’t have to manage asthma alone. 

At Banner Health, our team is here to support you with expert care, education and tools to help you breathe easier. 

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