Asthma reviews

Just like visiting the dentist or optician it is important to have regular review appointments with your doctor or asthma nurse to monitor your asthma symptoms and the medicines you are taking. Most doctors suggest that adults with asthma should have a review every 12 months, or more frequently if you have just been diagnosed, or following an asthma attack.

An asthma review is an appointment with your doctor or asthma nurse to talk about your asthma and discuss ways in which you can control your symptoms better.

When should you have an asthma review?

• Every year if your symptoms are well controlled or more often if your symptoms are difficult to control.
• A month or so after your asthma medicines are changed – to new medicine or if your normal medicine has been increased or decreased.
• Within 48 hours of a serious asthma attack to make sure your symptoms are better controlled. You also need another review one to two weeks after a serious attack to make sure your symptoms are back under control.
• If your personal asthma action plan is not helping you to get back in control of your symptoms.

During a review you should expect to be asked the following three questions:

• Have you had difficulty sleeping because of your asthma symptoms (including cough)?
• Have you had your usual asthma symptoms during the day (cough, wheeze, chest tightness or breathlessness)?
• Has your asthma interfered with your usual activities?

At your asthma review you should also discuss:

• your written personal asthma action plan
• your asthma medicines and if they are working for you
• the inhalers you are using and if you are able to use your inhaler easily
• how your asthma is affecting your life.