|
|
|
Green Light,
Breathe Right asthma
program |
OSF HealthPlans now has an asthma program for our members called
Green Light, Breathe Right. Our goal is to provide you with
information that will help to improve your asthma. This free service
works with your primary care physician’s treatment plan and will:
- Make OSFHP members with asthma more aware of
their Asthma Classification.
- Teach asthma members how/when to use
medications, and
- Provide all physicians with a roster that
identifies OSFHP members with asthma.
If you have any questions or comments about our
educational program, contact Member Services at 1-800-673-5222. If you are a State of
Illinois employee, call 1-888-716-9138.
|
Asthma - Patient Education
 |
xxx |
|
|
ASTHMA TRIGGERS
Some people with asthma also have allergies-that is, they are
sensitive to certain things that don’t bother most people. Allergies
can trigger an asthma attack by irritating already sensitive airways.
Some common “triggers” include dust, mites, mold, pets, cigarette
smoke, strong odors and infections.
Some things don’t trigger asthma attacks, but
can bother people with asthma: aspirin, colds, flu, dirty air, and
emotions (like laughing or crying).
It is best to stay away from triggers and things
that make your asthma worse. Try to stay away from dirty air by not
smoking and by not being around people who do. Especially parents with
children who have been diagnosed with asthma. Also, avoid baby powder,
talcum powder, perfume, mothballs, air fresheners, spray deodorants
and hair spray.
It is important to always bring your medicine
with you wherever you go. And remember if you have any questions, call
your doctor, nurse, or clinic.
ASTHMA ACTION PLAN
The NHLBI (National Heart, Lung &
Blood Institute )
states that all people with asthma
should have an Action Plan. The Action Plan serves as a guide for the
patient on how to manage asthma symptoms before they become full blown
attacks, and what to do if an attack does occur.
Talk to your doctor to develop a
personalized Asthma Action Plan. If you already have an
Asthma Action Plan, review the plan with your doctor regularly
to be certain that it’s still the best action for you.
What are the three asthma
zones?
The Asthma Action Plan involves
using a device called a peak flow meter to measure how well your lungs
are working. First thing every morning, measure your peak flow three
times. The highest reading is your current peak flow. The Asthma
Action Plan also refers to your personal best. Discuss with your
doctor in determining what your personal best is, and which course of
action is best for you.
Green Zone
- Your current peak flow is over 80% of your
personal best
- Breathing is good, no cough or wheeze
- You need to use the long-term control
medicines indicated in your Action Plan
Yellow Zone
- Your current peak flow is 50% to 79% of your
personal best
- You may have experienced any of the
following: first signs of a cold, exposure to known trigger, cough,
wheeze or shortness of breath, coughing at night, tightness in chest
CAUTION :
You need to follow your Action Plan and take the quick-relief
medicines for the Yellow Zone
Red Zone
- Your current peak flow is less than 50% of
your personal best
- You may have experienced any of the
following: medicine is not helping, breathing is hard and fast, nose
opens wide, ribs show, can’t talk well
ALERT: Take
your Red Zone medications and get help now. It’s important! If you
can’t get hold of your provider, go directly to the emergency room.
DO NOT WAIT!
Click
here to access a copy of a
sample Asthma Action Plan. |
