In this Article

• What is asthma?
• What is adult-onset asthma?
• What is the difference between childhood asthma and adult-onset asthma?
• How is adult-onset asthma diagnosed?
• Who gets asthma?
• How is asthma classified?
• How is asthma treated?
• Monitoring symptoms
• Asthma action plan
• Adult-Onset Asthma Glossary
• Adult-Onset Asthma Index

Monitoring symptoms

An important part of treatment is keeping track of how well the lungs are functioning. Asthma symptoms are monitored using a peak flow meter. The meter can alert you to changes in the airways that may be a sign of worsening asthma. By taking daily peak flow readings, you can learn when to adjust medications to keep asthma under good control. Your doctor can also use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

Asthma action plan

Based on your history and the severity of asthma, your doctor will develop a care plan called an asthma action plan. The asthma action plan describes when and how to use asthma medications, actions to take when asthma worsens, and when to seek care for an asthma emergency. Make sure you understand this plan; if not, ask your asthma care provider any questions you may have.

WebMD Medical Reference

Reviewed by Jonathan L. Gelfand, MD, on August 1, 2007

© 2007 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved.

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