1. Everyday asthma care
My asthma is being managed well:
- With this daily routine I should expect/aim to have no symptoms.
- If I have not had any symptoms or needed my reliever inhaler for at least 12 weeks, I can ask my GP or asthma nurse to review my medicines in case they can reduce the dose.
- My personal best peak flow is: 740
My daily asthma routine:
My preventer inhaler
Fostair NEXThaler (pink/white)I need to take my preventer inhaler every day even when I feel well.
I take 1 puff(s) in the morning and 1 puff(s) at night.
My reliever inhaler
is the same as my preventer inhalerI take my reliever inhaler only if I need to
I take 1 puff(s) of my reliever inhaler if any of these things happen:
- I’m coughing
- I’m wheezing
- My chest feels tight
- I’m finding it hard to breathe
2. When I feel worse
My asthma is getting worse if I’m experiencing any of these
- My symptoms are coming back (wheeze, tightness in my chest, feeling breathless, cough).
- I am waking up at night.
- My symptoms are interfering with my usual day-to-day activities (eg at work, exercising).
- I am using my reliever inhaler three times a week or more.
- My peak flow drops to below: 590 (80%)
What I can do to get on top of my asthma now
If I haven’t been using my preventer inhaler, I’ll start using it regularly again or if I have been using it:
- Carry my reliever inhaler with me when I’m out.
- Take my reliever inhaler as needed to a maximum 8 puffs (excluding preventer dose).
When I feel worse
Other advice from my GP about what to do if my asthma is worse:
Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART)
Mart advice: use with Symbicort turbohalerI can use my maintenance inhaler as a reliever when I get symptoms, and should carry it with me.
⚠️ If you need your reliever inhaler more than every four hours, you need to take emergency action now. See section 3.
⚠️ See a doctor or nurse within 24 hours if you get worse at any time or you haven’t improved after seven days.
3. In an asthma attack
I’m having an asthma attack if I’m experiencing any of these
- My reliever inhaler is not helping or I need it more than every four hours.
- I find it difficult to walk or talk.
- I find it difficult to breathe.
- I’m coughing a lot, or I have a very tight chest, or I’m wheezing a lot.
- My peak flow is below: 440 (60%)
What to do in an asthma attack
- Sit up straight - try to keep calm.
- Take a maximum of 6 puffs in one episode
- If you feel worse at any point OR you don’t feel better after 6 puffs call 999 for an ambulance.
- If the ambulance has not arrived after 10 minutes and your symptoms are not improving, use your blue inhaler with a spacer.
- Take one puff of your blue reliever inhaler every 30-60 seconds up to 10 puffs.*
- If your symptoms are no better after repeating step 5, and the ambulance has still not arrived, contact 999 again immediately.
My reliever inhaler
Ventolin Evohaler pMDI 100μg, blueMy spacer
AeroChamber Plus spacerI can use my spacer in combination with my blue reliever inhaler so that it's more effective.
After an asthma attack
- If you dealt with your asthma attack at home, see your GP today.
- If you were treated in hospital, see your GP within 48 hours of being discharged.
- Finish any medicines they prescribe you, even if you start to feel better.
- If you don’t improve after treatment, see your GP urgently.
- ❗ If you dealt with your asthma attack at work, inform HR to report the incident, so that triggers can be monitored in the workplace.
