Early Warning Signs of Asthma - Children's Mercy Pediatric Care ...

Early Warning Signs of Asthma
Source: National Jewish Health
Early warning signs are body clues to tell you an asthma episode is just starting to happen. Early warning signs
are different for each person, and they can change over time.
Early warning signs of asthma usually follow a pattern. KNOW YOUR PATTERN SO YOU CAN TREAT YOUR
ASTHMA EARLY AND QUICKLY GET IT UNDER CONTROL.
TAKE ACTION NOW
• Get away from your triggers. Slow down and relax.
• Take your quick reliever medicine* now and every 4 hours as needed.
• Follow the “Asthma Plan for Triggers” in your written Asthma Action Plan.
• If you don’t have one, call your Primary Care Provider and ask about medicines to treat asthma episodes.
□ Coughing
□ Change in mucus
□ Dry mouth
□ Sneezing
□ Rapid breathing
□ Breathe through mouth
□ Chest feels funny
□ Headache
□ Just don’t feel well
□ Irritable, moody, sad
□ Get excited
□ Get quiet
□ Feel shaky
□ Feel hot and/or sweaty
□ Feel feverish
□ Feel restless or anxious
□ Feel weak or tired
□ Want to slow down
□ Don’t want to do activities
□ Want to be alone
□ Feel itchy
□ Chin or throat itches
□ Neck/throat feels tight/sore
□ Rubbing throat or chin
□ Nose is stuffy or runny
□ Ears hurt
□ Eyes look glassy
□ Eyes are watery
□ Dark circles under eyes
□ Skin is pale
□ Heart beats faster
□ Trouble sleeping
□ Peak flow in yellow zone
□ Other signs...
* Quick reliever medicines are albuterol or xopenex. Some brand
names of albuterol are: Ventalin, ProAir, Proventil.
24-hour Nurse Line: 1-888-670-7264 • www.cmpcn.org
Infants and Toddlers
Infants and toddlers have much smaller
airways than older children and adults. Their
airways are so small that an asthma episode
can quickly get worse if not treated promptly.
Early Warning Signs for Infants and Toddlers
□ Trouble eating
□ Grunting when eating
□ Less active
□ Not interested in normal or favorite activities
□ Coughing
□ Breathing faster
□ Breathing is noisy, wheezy
□ Quiet or fussy
□ Crying is softer, different
□ Wake up at night— difficulty breathing
To receive a translated copy of this document, call Member Services.
Para recibir una copia traducida de este documento, llame al servicio para miembros.
Children’s Mercy Pediatric Care Network has partnered with the following health plans to assist in the management of your care:
• Coventry Health Care of Kansas (Member Services: 1-877-347-9363)
• HealthCare USA (Member Services: 1-800-347-9363 [after 7-1-2012: 1-800-566-6444])
CMER-INS-19584 Early Warning Signs of Asthma rev 03/2012 HCU310 MHD app 06/06/2012 Coventry app 06/06/2012

£ Feel grumpy
£ Runny nose
£ Headache
£ Trouble sleeping
24-hour Nurse Line: 1-888-670-7264 • www.cmpcn.org
Early Warning Signs of Asthma
£ Eyes: glassy or watery or dark circles
£ Peak flow is dropping
£ Throat scratchy or sore
£ Don’t feel well
£ Chest feels funny
£ Eyes feel itchy £ Tummy hurts
£ Skin feels itchy £ Ears hurt £ Tired, quiet, sad
£ Coughing
£ Sneezing
Take Action Now
P Get away from your triggers.
Slow down and relax.
P Tell an adult or friend that an
asthma flare is starting.
P If you use a peak flow meter,
get a peak flow reading.
P Take quick relief medicine
now and every 4 hours as
needed.
P Start the medicines that are
listed for triggers on your
Written Asthma Action Plan.
Ask an adult to help you take
the right medicines.
P If you don’t have a written
asthma action plan, ask your
parent or guardian to call
your Primary Care Provider.
They can ask about different
medicines you can take to
treat asthma flare ups.
To receive a translated copy of this document, call Member Services.
Para recibir una copia traducida de este documento, llame al servicio para miembros.
Children’s Mercy Pediatric Care Network has partnered with the following health plans to assist in the management of your care:
• Coventry Health Care of Kansas (Member Services: 1-877-347-9363)
• HealthCare USA (Member Services: 1-800-347-9363 [after 7-1-2012: 1-800-566-6444])
Early Warning Signs of Asthma - Kids rev 03/2012 HCU309 MHD app 06/06/2012 Coventry app 06/06/2012