(HealthDay News) -- Keeping track of asthma symptoms each day can help your doctor devise a more effective treatment plan.

The American Lung Association offers these suggestions:

• Pay attention to daytime symptoms including feeling short of breath, wheezing, coughing and having a tight feeling in the chest.
• Document how often asthma symptoms wake you at night and what those symptoms are.
• Keep track of how often you have to use your rescue inhaler.
• Keep a list of activities that prove difficult, including examples such as walking, climbing stairs, doing daily tasks or playing with the children.