Why should I talk to my doctor about asthma?

If you have never experienced any of the symptoms of asthma, you may not need to talk about it with your doctor. Remember, though, that you can develop asthma at any age, so if you ever do think you have been experiencing the symptoms of asthma, talking to your doctor is an important step toward alleviating your symptoms. If you ever experience a severe asthma attack, you should see your doctor right away and discuss how to avoid such attacks in the future and how to treat them if they do occur.

If you do find out that you have asthma, lifestyle changes and medications are available to help you manage the symptoms. You do not need to live in fear of having an asthma attack and not being able to treat it. There is no reason to limit your activities or suffer with asthma symptoms when controlling your asthma can be relatively simple. In fact, many professional athletes have asthma including professional football players, professional basketball players, and even Olympic track and field stars.

If you are a parent and you suspect your child may have asthma, it is important to talk to your pediatrician about your child’s symptoms for the same reasons mentioned above. The questions the pediatrician will ask you about your child’s asthma are similar to the ones he or she would ask you about your own symptoms.

How do I talk to my doctor about asthma?

The best thing you can do is be prepared. Know the questions you want to ask and come prepared to answer the questions that the doctor will likely ask of you. It may be helpful to bring a list of your questions with you to your appointment. If you are taking medications you can bring a list of those as well (including both prescription and non-prescription drugs). You may be asked to provide a medical history, including any past illnesses, surgeries, and treatments (including mental health treatment) so knowing the dates of these is helpful.

If you do have symptoms, tell your doctor what they are, when they began, how often they happen, and whether they are getting better, worse, or staying the same. Keeping a journal of your symptoms will help you keep track of them and help you talk about them with your doctor.

It is a good idea to take notes, bring a tape recorder, or ask a friend or family member to come with you to help you remember what your doctor tells you. Medical information can be overwhelming, especially when you are faced with a lot of it all at once.

Make sure you understand any diagnoses the doctor gives you and any tests ordered or treatments prescribed. Ask your doctor to explain if he or she says something that you do not understand. Speak up. Let your doctor know if he or she has not answered your question or addressed your concern. Tell your doctor if a treatment is not working or if you are having side effects. He or she may prescribe a different treatment that might work better for you.

What questions will the doctor ask me to help determine if I have asthma?

If you have never been diagnosed with asthma but suspect you may have it, you can help your doctor determine whether to conduct tests for asthma by coming to your appointment prepared to answer questions about the symptoms you have experienced and about any asthma risk factors you may have. A doctor may ask if you have had any of the common symptoms of asthma, which include:

• coughing
• recurrent wheezing
• chest tightness
• trouble breathing
• symptoms that occur or worsen at night or in the early morning
• symptoms that are triggered by cold air, exercise or exposure to allergens

Your doctor will likely ask you to describe your symptoms and ask for details about when they occur. You should be prepared to answer the following questions about your symptoms:

• How long ago did your symptoms start?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• Does anything seem to help your symptoms?
• How long does it take for your symptoms to improve?
• Do your symptoms seem to worsen during certain months of the year?
• Do you notice that your symptoms come on suddenly or get worse in certain environments or situations?

Your doctor will also want to know about your known risk factors for asthma. He or she may ask if you have any of the following risk factors:

• family history of asthma or allergies
• having allergies yourself
• low birth weight
• frequent respiratory infections in childhood
• African American or Puerto Rican ethnicity
• growing up in a low-income environment
• living in a large urban area
• women who are pregnant or are experiencing menopause
• obesity
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• exposure to tobacco smoke before birth, in childhood, or as an adult
• exposure to environmental irritants, mold, dust, feather beds, or perfume
• exposure to occupational triggers, such as chemicals used in manufacturing

If you have allergies, you may need to answer questions about your allergy history:

• What allergies have you been treated for in the past?
• Are your allergies to airborne particles, food, or drugs?
• Have you ever had a severe allergic reaction that required you to be hospitalized?
• What allergy medications have you taken in the past and which ones do you take now? In what doses?

What questions should I ask my doctor about asthma?

If you suspect you have asthma, you should see your doctor prepared to ask informed questions about your treatment. If you are diagnosed with asthma, some questions you can ask include:

• Do I really have asthma? Have you ruled out other possible causes for my symptoms?
• What type of asthma do I have? How severe is it?
• What are the causes of my asthma?
• Is my asthma the allergic type?
• Should I get allergy shots?
• Do you recommend that I see a specialist to get my asthma under control?
• How can an asthma action plan guide me in treating daily symptoms?
• What are the warning signs of an asthma attack?
• Are there lifestyle changes I can make to reduce my symptoms?
• Is there something in my home or workplace that is making my asthma worse?
• Are there some natural asthma therapies I can use along with asthma medications?
• What medications are available and which do you recommend?
• Can I use long-term control medicines to help control my asthma?
• Can I use quick-relief medications like a fast-acting inhaler? How often should I use them?
• Should I carry any medicines around with me?
• How do I use an asthma inhaler? Could you show me how?
• How do I use a peak flow meter? Do I need to monitor my peak flow at home?
• Is it safe for me to exercise?
• Does stress trigger my asthma?
• What should I do if I don’t think my medication is working?
• What can I do at home to reduce my exposure to asthma triggers?
• What should I do if my asthma doesn’t get better?
• Should I wear a Medic Alert bracelet?
• Should I get an air filter? What kind?
• Should I consider moving, changing jobs, or relocating to a different climate to help my symptoms?
• What else can I do to help improve my symptoms?

What questions should I ask my doctor about asthma medications?

If the doctor prescribes one or more asthma medications, you should be sure that you understand when and how to take the medications properly before you leave the doctor’s office. Especially when you begin taking a new medicine you should be wary of side effects. These are some specific questions you can ask your doctor when you are first prescribed a new medicine.

• What is the name of the medication?
• What symptoms is the medication supposed to relieve?
• What is the dosage for the drug?
• How often and when should I take the medication?
• What should I do if I miss a dose of my asthma medicine?
• How does the medication work?
• Are there other, similar medications in the same class that work in a similar way?
• Why did you decide to give me this medication and not another?
• How will I know if the medication is working?
• How long do I need to take the medication for?
• Are there foods or activities I should avoid when taking the medicine?
• What are the possible side effects? What should I do if I recognize them?
• Are there any long term risks of taking this medication?
• Where can I find out more about the medicine?
• Will this medication interact with my other medications?
• I have a heart condition. Are there some asthma medications I should stay away from due to their tendency to increase heart rate?