Your doctor will work with you to set up a written plan for when symptoms are worse. The plan should tell you what medications to increase or when to go to the emergency department. This is called an ACTION PLAN. An action plan will help you stay in control of asthma symptoms.

Some symptoms or signs that your asthma is not under control include:

• waking up at night or early in the morning coughing or wheezing
• coughing frequently
• wheezing during the day or night
• having to restrict your physical activity
• coughing up mucus more frequently
• difficulty breathing at rest or with activity
• having to use your reliever or bronchodilator medications more frequently
• peak flowmeter readings are dropping

• note that your peak flowmeter readings at 50% of your normal value (as discussed with your doctor)
• have used your reliever or bronchodilator medications more than the maximum dose (as discussed with your doctor)
• feel faint or dizzy
• cannot walk more than a few steps because of your breathing
• cannot speak more than 2 - 3 words at a time.