Asthma Care:
Teamwork - You and Your Doctor
To better manage your asthma, take an active role in your asthma care. That means working closely with your doctor.
Do this:
- Schedule an “asthma only” office at least twice a year
- Give clear information to your doctor about your symptoms
- Listen closely and carefully to the instructions your doctor gives you. Take someone with you who may help you to remember instructions.
- Ask questions about what you don’t understand
At your doctor’s visit you should have a comprehensive exchange of information with your doctor including the following:
- Tell your doctor what medicines you are taking and how often you use your quick-relief inhaler.
- Ask your doctor how often you should be using your quick-relief inhaler.
- Tell your doctor what asthma symptoms you are having.
- Ask your doctor what are “asthma triggers” and how you should avoid them.
- Tell your doctor whether you sleep though the night or not
- Ask your doctor if you should get a lung function test to see how serious your asthma is.
- Tell your doctor how asthma affects your daily activities.
- Ask your doctor if you should be using a peak flow meter at home
- Tell your doctor your peak flow readings if you use a peak flow meter at home.
- Ask your doctor what medicine(s) you should be taking? When and how often?
- Ask you doctor if you need to update your Asthma Action Plan.
Your Asthma Action Plan
- Tells you when and how to take your medicines
- What triggers your asthma and how to avoid those triggers when possible
- When to call your doctor and what to do in an emergency
- If you are unable to follow your “Action Plan talk to your doctor about what other options may work for you.
Click here for American Lung Association's Asthma Action Plan
