Asthma control test: What it is how and how it works Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe How does the asthma control test work Medically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI — By MaryAnn De Pietro, CRT on June 28, 2022An asthma control test involves questions relating to daytime and nighttime asthma symptoms. This test helps determine if a person is controlling their asthma well. The asthma control test helps someone identify how their symptoms interfere with their day-to-day life. The test is also useful to help healthcare professionals determine if someone’s asthma symptoms need better control. If people do not have sufficient control over their asthma in the long term, it can increase the risk of asthma attacks and lead to other health issues, such as lung infections, which can cause several symptoms. The article looks at how the control test works, the results, and when to consult a doctor. It also provides a brief overview of asthma’s symptoms, triggers, treatments, and overall outlook. Control test According to the American Thoracic Society, the standard asthma control test consists of five questions. The questions involve a 4-week recall of symptoms and how they affect a person’s daily functioning. Frequent symptoms and difficulties controlling their condition may interfere with a person’s quality of life. An asthma control test is available for people 12 and older. Although there may be slight variations to the wording of the test, questions consider the same categories, and people need to grade themselves from 1 to 5, according to the numbered list below following each question. In the past 4 weeks how much of the time did your asthma keep you from getting as much done at work school or at home All of the time.Most of the time.Some of the time. A little of the time.None of the time. During the past 4 weeks how often have you had shortness of breath More than once a day.Once a day.Three to six times a week.Once or twice a week.Not at all. During the past 4 weeks how often did your asthma symptoms wheezing coughing shortness of breath chest tightness or pain wake you up at night or earlier than usual in the morning Four or more nights per week.Two to three nights a week.Once a week.Once or twice a week.Not at all. During the past 4 weeks how often have you used your rescue inhaler or nebulizer medication such as albuterol Three or more times per day.One to two times per day.Two to three times per week.Once a week or less.Not at all. How would you rate your asthma control during the past 4 weeks Not controlled at all.Poorly controlled.Somewhat controlledWell-controlled.Completely controlled. Childhood asthma control test A similar test is also available for children 4– 11 years of age. This test involves asking the child four questions about their asthma:at the time of the testwhen playing sports or exercisingthe cause of their coughat night A parent or caregiver will score the answers 0–3 and also answer an additional four questions linked to their child’s asthma over the last 4 weeks. Interpreting results With the asthma control test, individuals answer each question. The answer has a corresponding numeric value of 1–5, and at the end of the test, users add up the number for each answer for their total score. The total score may range from 5 to 25. This score distinguishes between well-controlled asthma and difficulty controlling it. The lower the score, the more a person lacks control of their condition. For example, someone does not have their asthma under control if they score 5 or 6. An individual has better control of their asthma if they score 20 or higher. When to consult a doctor The American Lung Association recommends that everyone with asthma consult their doctor at least once a year. They should speak with their doctor more often if they experience frequent symptoms of the condition. They also recommend sharing the results of an asthma control test with a healthcare professional. It is especially important to speak with a doctor as soon as possible if the results indicate that a person’s does not have sufficient control over their asthma. Sharing the results of an asthma control test helps doctors identify parts of the asthma treatment plan that may need adjusting. They may also recommend new asthma medications or treatment plans. Overview of asthma Asthma affects the airways and lungs. It leads to various symptoms that interfere with breathing, such as wheezingshortness and breathcoughingchest tightness Triggers In the United States, about 1 in 13 people have asthma, and the cause of the condition is not clear. It is likely a combination of genetics and environmental triggers. Individuals with asthma may also have various specific triggers. Common triggers include:allergens, such as pollen, weeds, animal dander, and dust mitesexercisecold air Treatment Currently, there is no cure for asthma, but effective treatments are available. Learning to identify and decrease asthma triggers is part of a person’s treatment plan. Often, treatments include medication to prevent flare-ups, such as inhaled steroids or long-acting bronchodilators. Treatment also includes fast-acting medications to treat sudden symptoms. Outlook The outlook for someone with asthma varies depending on the control of their symptoms. For people with well-controlled asthma, flare-ups may only occur occasionally and not interfere with daily life. However, for individuals with difficulty controlling asthma, it may cause problems such as:feeling tired all the timeabsence from or difficulties with work or schoolstress, anxiety, or depressiondisruption of work or leisure lung infections such as pneumoniadelays in growth or puberty in children There is also a risk of severe asthma attacks, which could be life threatening if a person does not seek medical attention. The asthma control test helps improve an individual’s quality and life and outlook, as treatment adjustments can help symptoms in the short and long term. Summary An asthma control test involves a questionnaire that people answer regarding the frequency of asthma symptoms over 4 weeks. Each answer has a numerical value. The individual adds their score to determine their level of asthma symptom control. Sharing the results with a healthcare professional allows doctors to make necessary changes to treatment plans to better manage their asthma. Last medically reviewed on June 28, 2022Asthma 5 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Asthma control test. (n.d.).https://www.memphischildrens.org/Asthma_Control-12-and-older.pdfAsthma control test. (n.d.).https://www.thoracic.org/members/assemblies/assemblies/srn/questionaires/act.phpChildhood asthma control test for children 4 to 11 years old. Know the score. (n.d.)https://nunwellsurgery.co.uk/website/M81048/files/childrens%20ACT.pdfWhat is asthma? (n.d.).https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/asthmaWhen to see your doctor. (2020).https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/asthma-symptoms-causes-risk-factors/when-to-see-your-doctorFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI — By MaryAnn De Pietro, CRT on June 28, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat are the treatments for asthma?Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI Asthma is a chronic lung condition that leads to episodes when a person’s airways become obstructed, and they experience severe breathlessness. There…READ MOREWhat causes asthma complications? Asthma is a chronic condition affecting the lungs that can lead to serious complications. 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