Asthma Control Test Score: How We Use It

May 25, 2025 | symptoms

* The Asthma Control Test (ACT) is a survey that you fill out about your breathing symptoms.

* Your score on this survey will classify your asthma into 3 levels: Well Controlled, Not Well Controlled, and Poorly Controlled

* These classifications are used to determine what medications should be on your Asthma Action Plan.

* The ACT should be completed weekly to make sure we have the earliest sign that your asthma is flaring up.

* You can complete the ACT at the:  Asthmaniac Asthma Control Test page.

Breathing.  It can be easy.  When your asthma is not controlled, it is not.

All illnesses cause changes in you how you feel. These sensations are called symptoms.

For asthma, these symptoms are things like:

  • shortness of breath,
  • coughing,
  • chest tightness, and
  • audible wheezing.

In a chronic illness like asthma your lungs are constantly reacting to outside forces.

Viruses and allergens, smoke, pets – all can trigger symptoms.

These symptoms can change on a daily basis.

In asthma, doctors have learned that worsening of lung function can be predicted by having patients assign a “score” to their symptoms.

This scoring should be done at regular intervals and compared to periods when you are well.

The scoring system that I use for asthma symptoms is called the Asthma Control Test (ACT).

This system uses a form that allows you to assign a number score for five categories of your symptoms.

I ask my patients to do this several times a week and I teach them how to recognize a developing problem in their lungs.

Regular symptom assessment is standard in asthma disease management.

That’s why it’s in your Asthmaniac method!

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What is an MDI Spacer and Why Do You Need One?

* A spacer is needed to hold your asthma medicine in a cloud until you can pull it into your lungs with a deep breath.

* If you don’t use a spacer with your asthma medicine, it ends up on tongue and on the walls of your throat where it can’t help your asthma and usually causes a yeast infection.

* Spacers should be used with all of your asthma medicine that comes in a metered dose inhaler (MDI).

* Medicine administered by a dry powder inhaler does not require a spacer since the design of the inhaler stirs and suspends the dry powder particles so they can be inhaled deeply.

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