Lesson 4: Daily Care for Your Asthma

Back to Asthma Channel

Welcome Back! In the last three lessons we went over basic information about asthma, triggers, and reducing the allergens you face indoors and out. Now, we're into the nuts and bolts of daily care for your asthma. Get ready for more sassy quizzes, fun games, fantastic video demonstrations, and sound advice on ways to monitor and care for your asthma every day.

Assignment #1
Before we start, check in with your SavvyScholar study buddy. You can review what you've learned and give each other a cyber pat on the back for making it all the way to the next to last lesson! Click here and go to the Student Union Message Boards:

In this lesson, you'll learn the answers to these intriguing questions:

• What is a peak flow meter and how do I use it?
• When can I expect my symptoms to increase?
• What is my "personal best" and how can I use the information?
• What is the "traffic light system" in asthma management?
• How can I tell if an asthma attack is coming on?
• What can I do to prepare for emergency care?

But, before we jump into the thick of it, challenge yourself with the Daily Care Quiz.

Assignment #2
This section has a lot of specific medical information, so don't worry if the quiz seemed a little challenging. We made it as straightforward as possible. Just think of it as a quick introduction to all that you will learn in this lesson!

A peak flow meter is tool that helps you monitor what's going on inside your body, specifically your lung function. This tool is useful because it is a concrete, quantifiable way to measure your airway health. For instance, sometimes you may feel great, but when you measure your breathing with a peak flow meter, your lung function could be lower than usual. If you can be more in tune with small (or large) changes in your peak flow meter results on a regular basis, you will be better able to manage your asthma.

What is this mysterious peak flow meter you ask? Do not fear. It's not a large piece of steel machinery that you need cart around on a trailer hitch. It is actually a small, simple, inexpensive device that measures airflow, or peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). You blow a hard, quick breath into it, and the resulting reading shows you how open (or closed) your airways are. If used correctly and regularly, your peak flow meter can be used as a tool to:

• monitor your treatment progress and provide objective information for treatment adjustments

• measure the severity of your asthma symptoms at different times and provide an opportunity for preventative measures

• see if your treatment is really helping during an acute asthma attack

• diagnose exercise-induced asthma

• pinpoint specific asthma triggers

You can get a peak flow meter over-the-counter, but make sure to bring it to your next doctor's visit to make sure it's accurate and that you know how to use it properly. Your doctor might also instruct you when to record your peak flow readings and what to do if your readings fall below a certain level. As a support, you can also use the Savvyhealth Asthma Manager to help you with your asthma management goals. You can access if from our front page!


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