What are discharge instructions?

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").

What should I know?

You came to the ED for an asthma "attack." This is when asthma symptoms get worse, leading to coughing, wheezing, or trouble breathing. Many things can cause asthma to get worse, like a cold, allergies, or cold weather.

It is important to follow up with your doctor. You should also take your asthma medicines exactly as instructed.

The doctors might give you an asthma action plan or a peak flow meter. These can help you manage your asthma.

How do I care for myself at home?

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly how to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also do the following:

• Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment.

• Know how and when to take your asthma medicines. You might have:

  • Quick-relief medicines – These open the airway quickly to stop symptoms of an asthma attack in 5 to 15 minutes. Albuterol is a common example. You might need to use this routinely while you recover from the asthma attack. For example, your doctor might tell you to use your quick-relief medicine every 6 hours for several days.

  • Long-term controller medicines – These reduce inflammation in the long term to help prevent asthma symptoms from happening. It is important to take your controller medicine every day, even when you feel well.

  When these medicines are put into inhalers, many people have 1 inhaler for quick relief and 1 for long-term control. In some cases, a person might use 1 inhaler for both.

• Do not smoke or let others smoke near you. Smoke can stay on clothes and furniture and cause breathing problems.

• Learn what triggers your asthma, and try to stay away from those things. Common triggers include certain infections (such as the cold, flu, or COVID-19), allergens (such as dust, pollens, or pet hair), and scents from cleaning products, detergents, or perfumes. Exercise can also trigger asthma, but you should not avoid it. Exercise is important for staying healthy.

• Know if you need an extra dose of your quick-relief inhaler before exercising. If you have an inhaler to use when you feel short of breath, carry it with you at all times.

• Follow your asthma action plan and use your peak flow meter, if you have them. The peak flow meter helps measure how well your lungs are working.

When should I get emergency help?

• Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:

  • You have extreme trouble breathing, like:

    • You cannot speak in full sentences.

    • You are very tired from working to catch your breath.

    • You are sweating from trying to breathe.

    • Your lips or fingernails turn gray or blue.

  • Return to the ED if:

    • You have trouble breathing when talking or sitting still.

    • You used your quick-relief inhaler, and your asthma symptoms are getting worse or are not improving.

    • You need to use your quick-relief inhaler more than every 2 hours.

When should I call the doctor?

Call for advice if:

• You have to use your quick-relief inhaler 2 to 3 times a week to treat symptoms – You do not need to call for advice if the doctor told you to take this medicine more often, such as to treat a recent asthma attack or before exercising.

• You are having so much trouble breathing you cannot do your normal activities.

• Your cough gets worse.

• Your asthma medicines are running out.

• You have new or worsening symptoms.