What to expect from chronic disease review for asthma

The clinician asks how often you wheeze, cough, feel tight-chested, wake at night, or need your reliever inhaler. They may ask about exercise, work, smoking, allergies, infections, and recent attacks. Bring up symptoms that you have adapted to or stopped mentioning.

Your inhaler technique may be watched and corrected, because timing and breathing affect how much medicine reaches the lungs. The review may include a breathing test, a check of other medicines, and a written plan explaining daily treatment and what to do if symptoms worsen.

Take every inhaler and spacer to the appointment, including ones used only during attacks. Note nighttime symptoms, reliever use, missed doses, side effects, and likely triggers. If you have a peak-flow diary or previous action plan, bring it.

Use medicines as prescribed unless the clinician gives different instructions. Ask for a repeat demonstration of technique and check that you know when to step up treatment, who to contact, and when an emergency is present. Arrange the next review before leaving if advised.

Do not wait for a routine review if breathing is rapidly worsening, speaking is difficult, lips look blue or grey, the reliever is not helping, or you are exhausted and struggling to breathe. Follow your action plan and seek emergency care. Contact the practice for frequent night symptoms or increasing reliance on the reliever.

Ask whether your asthma is controlled, whether your inhaler technique is correct, what triggers to reduce, and whether your medicines need changing. Ask for clear thresholds in your action plan and check how to obtain help outside normal appointment times.