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Kids' Asthma Journal
Do you want to have better control over your asthma? Put it in writing! By following the examples below, you can use a journal to track day-to-day changes in your asthma. The information helps you and your healthcare provider take better care of your asthma. Have a parent, caregiver, or healthcare provider help you complete the journal.
Make copies of this page before you write on it so you can use it again!
Starting date: ____________________
Symptoms
Check the boxes below to show when you had symptoms.
| Coughing | Wheezing | Breathing problems | Chest tightness |
Sunday a.m./p.m. | / | / | / | / |
Monday a.m./p.m. | / | / | / | / |
Tuesday a.m./p.m. | / | / | / | / |
Wednesday a.m./p.m. | / | / | / | / |
Thursday a.m./p.m. | / | / | / | / |
Friday a.m./p.m. | / | / | / | / |
Saturday a.m./p.m. | / | / | / | / |
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 healthcare 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 _______________
| Green | Yellow | Red |
Sunday a.m./p.m. | / | / | / |
Monday a.m./p.m. | / | / | / |
Tuesday a.m./p.m. | / | / | / |
Wednesday a.m./p.m. | / | / | / |
Thursday a.m./p.m. | / | / | / |
Friday a.m./p.m. | / | / | / |
Saturday a.m./p.m. | / | / | / |
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, you may need more medicine or treatments.
Red. Airflow is less than 50% of your peak flow. Based on your Asthma Action Plan, your parent contact your healthcare provider, go to the emergency room, or call (signs of respiratory distress) if your peak flow readings stay below 50% even with treatments.
Call 911
Call
Directed by your Asthma Action Plan. For example, 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
You have trouble walking or talking
