Asthma Control Test Score: How We Use It
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* 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 with my little helper Freddy assisting 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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Thanks for learning more about asthma!
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