When your doctor makes an assessment of your condition, he may want a detailed medical history.
Here's an example of the kind of questions asked during an asthma medical examination:
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?