A Kids' Asthma Journal

Starting date: ____________________

Symptoms

Check the boxes below to show when you had symptoms.

Peak flow

Some kids use peak-flow meters to measure how well their lungs are working. Write down your peak-flow numbers for the green, yellow, and red zones:

• Green means doing well—Good.

• Yellow means getting worse—Caution.

• Red means severe symptoms—Danger.

Then using the chart below, write each peak-flow reading on the matching zone line. Your health care provider can help you understand your numbers and tell you what to do about yellow and red readings.

Green. Your peak flow is more than _________

Yellow. Your peak flow is between _________ and ______________

Red. Alert! Your peak flow is less than _______________

Peak flow monitoring: Color zone system

• Green. Airflow is 80% to 100% of your personal best. Based on your asthma action plan, no changes are needed in your treatments or activities.

• Yellow. Airflow is between 50% to 80% of your personal best. Based on your asthma action plan, more medicine or treatments may be needed.

• Red. Airflow is less than 50% of your peak flow. This signals a medical alert and means you have severe airway narrowing. Take your quick-relief medicine right away and contact your health care provider. If your symptoms don't get better, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Your providers may suggest zones with a smaller range. Always follow your provider's suggestions about your peak flow rate.

Call 911

Call 911 or get medical help right away if:

• Directed by your Asthma Action Plan, such as if your quick-relief medicines are not helping.

• Breathing, coughing, and wheezing are getting worse after taking medicines or using an inhaler.

• You feel drowsy, disoriented, or confused.

• Your skin or lips look gray, blue, or purple.

• You have trouble walking or talking.