3. Keep an asthma diary

Keep an asthma diary every day. This information helps you keep track of your symptoms and helps you share accurate information with your health care team. Record the following information:

• Dose of long-term and quick-relief medicines you use each day.
• Description of symptoms.
• Severity and duration of symptoms.
• Time of day when symptoms occur.
• Possible triggers of symptoms, such as exercise or allergies.
• Difficulty with work, school, exercise or other day-to-day activities because of asthma symptoms.
• Results of a lung function test.
• Unscheduled appointments or urgent care for asthma.

Symptoms to record in your asthma diary include:

• Shortness of breath or coughing.
• Whistling sounds when you exhale, called wheezing.
• Disturbed sleep caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing.
• Chest tightness or pain.
• Hay fever symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose.