Keeping an asthma diary can help you identify asthma triggers, manage your asthma symptoms and achieve optimal asthma treatment.
An asthma diary is not a personal diary. It is a daily log of your breathing and asthma medications taken. Your doctor may review your asthma diary and change your asthma action plan or medications based on the information collected.
How do I use an asthma diary?
An asthma diary helps you keep track of changes in your asthma symptoms. Many patients track their daily lung function using a peak flow meter.
Record your peak flow measurements in your asthma diary. Always take the diary with you when you go to the doctor, so you can review it together and make any needed changes to your asthma treatment plan.
In addition to recording peak flow measurements, you should also record:
- Increased shortness of breath or wheezing — a whistling sound when you exhale
- Disturbed sleep caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
- Chest tightness or pain
- Use of quick-relief (rescue) medications, such as albuterol. Record when you used your inhaler and how many puffs you took.
- Decreased productivity at work, school or home due to asthma symptoms
- Increased asthma symptoms during exercise
- Anything that seems to trigger asthma flare-ups, such as secondhand tobacco smoke or pollution
Source: Vivacare
Last updated : 5/13/2022