When your doctor makes an assessment of your condition, he may want a detailed medical history.
Here is an example of the kind of questions asked during an asthma medical.
Do you have episodes of:
- Coughing?
- Chest tightness?
- Wheezing?
- Shortness of breath?
Is there a pattern to the symptoms? Do they change according to:
- Seasons?
- Places (at work, in the garden, in your kitchen)?
- Things (animals, smoke, perfume)?
- Times of day or night?
- Activities or exercise?
How did the disease develop?
- How old were you when you first experienced the symptoms?
- When was your asthma first diagnosed?
- Is there a family history of allergies?
- Has your condition changed over the years (worsened, gone into remission)?
- How did you respond to treatment?
- How have you managed your asthma?
- How do you currently respond to treatment?
At home, work, school or daycare, do you come across aggravating factors such as:
- Allergens?
- Exercise?
- Occupational activities?
- Irritants such as smoke, odours or pollutants?
- Extreme emotions?
- Drugs?
- Food and food additives?
- Weather changes?
How does this disease impact on you and your family?
- Do you suffer life-threatening attacks?
- Do you miss out on work/school/social activities?
- Does your asthma interfere with sleep?
- How does asthma affect growth, behaviour, concentration and performance at school, daily routine or your finances?
Are there factors that interfere with your adherence to medication, such as:
- School/childcare?
- Work?
- Do you understand how to take your medication?
- Substance abuse?
What is your (and your family’s) perception of the disease?
- Do you understand the disease and how it’s treated?
- Can you cope with the disease and its management?
- Do you have support when you need it?
- Are you coping financially?
- Do you have any beliefs about the condition that you would like to discuss?
- (Health24.com)