• Coughing?
• Chest tightness?
• Wheezing?
• Shortness of breath?

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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?

Read more:
What to do in an asthma emergency

National Asthma Education Programme (NAEP)
Allergy Society of South Africa (ALLSA)
 

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