Successful treatment allows people with asthma to enjoy a full life without significant breathing problems. A person with asthma needs to keep track of symptoms with an asthma diary. If there is an increase in shortness of breath , coughing , or wheezing , it is important to notify the healthcare provider. Medication may need to be changed. An individual with asthma can monitor breathing at home with a device called a peak flowmeter.
Some people use peak flowmeters every day and keep a record in their asthma diary.
Looking for patterns can show how changes in symptoms affect breathing ability. Sometimes airway changes show up on a peak flowmeter before symptoms are even felt. This measurement is useful for both the person with asthma and the healthcare provider as they work together to plan treatment. Periodic pulmonary function testing allows very specific measurements to be done and helps guide the healthcare provider in prescribing medications. A yearly chest X-ray is not necessary but it is often done during an initial evaluation of a person with asthma.