Spring is here! Warm weather. Time to enjoy activities outside

Do you know what triggers your asthma? It could be any one of the following:

• Grass, trees, weeds
• Exercise, hot weather, stress
• Smog, birds, strong odors as from flowers
• Dogs, cats, and other furry animals
• Dust mites, mold, certain medications, tobacco smoke

Triggers differ for each person. Learn what your triggers are so you can take steps to control them.

Green Zone. Symptom-free asthma

• No coughing, no wheezing
• No chest tightness
• Able to do usual activities
• Sleeping all night

Yellow Zone. Call your physician or advice nurse if you spend more than two days in the yellow zone.

• Coughing, wheezing
• Chest congestion, chest tightness
• Increased symptoms including waking at night
• Symptoms return after using quick relief inhaler

Red Zone. Take Action! Call your physician or advice nurse. You need to be seen.

• Persistent cough, persistent wheezing
• Very short of breath, fast breathing
• Waking at night due to cough or wheeze
• Medications have not reduce symptoms
• Usual activities are severely limited

Get medical care immediately if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Very fast or hard breathing
• Breathing so hard you can't walk or speak
• Lips or fingers turn blue

You can find more information at kp.org/asthma