It is always best to treat developing problems aggressively; do not wait until your symptoms are severe. Uncertainty about what to do or a minimizing of the severity of your symptoms can be very dangerous. Discuss with your doctor ahead of time about what symptoms should be reported. Things which probably should be brought to your doctor's attention include:

• Any acute illness (if you are running a fever)
• Chest pain on breathing
• Increased shortness of breath, more than usual increased difficulty in breathing or wheezing.
• Increased coughing (more frequent, more severe).
• A change in cough resulting in yellow, green or bloody colored sputum or a change in the amount or consistency of sputum produced over 24 hours.
• Drowsiness or morning headache not explained by fatigue or medications. Unusual dizziness, irritability or trouble thinking.
• Abrupt weight gain, 3-5 pounds, overnight. Check your weight at the same time every day. Check for swelling in the ankles, legs or around the eyes.
• Palpitations of the heart or rapid pulse, especially if it occurs while resting.
• Any problems with dehydration, diarrhea, marked depression or problems with another disease.
• If you use oxygen, be sure to call the doctor if the prescribed amount is not helping you to breathe or exercise with greater ease.
• If you are using all medications as prescribed and you feel they are not effective. Any reaction to a medication such as rash or nausea.

• Have a plan for while at home and while away. Include what to do and who to call.
• Prepare family, roommates and friends to handle emergencies.
• Identify advance signs of possible emergencies.
• Know which medication to take for quick relief and what to do next if they don't help.
• Anticipate some unexpected shortness of breath, but try not to panic.
• Practice relaxation exercises and breathing techniques and use them frequently.
• Keep a list by the phone with the following information:

  Family or friend name and phone number
  Physician name and phone number
  911 emergency number
  Your address and nearest cross street
  Name and location of closest emergency facility
  Name and location of preferred facility
  List of medications, their dosages and frequencies

• Ask your doctor to explain the last emergency and to explain what you should do the next time.
• Do some detective work to learn more about what might have caused the attack. Episodes may recur with a pattern.
• What you know about the last episode may help prevent or control the next one. Was it infection, heart trouble, overexertion, panic, or just one of those days?