10 Questions About Asthma

Affecting an estimated 12 million Americans, asthma accounts for 15 million annual visits to the physician and 1.2 million visits to the emergency room.

If you suffer from asthma and want to better manage your symptoms, We suggest you ask the following questions the next time you visit your doctor.

1. What can I do to help prevent an attack?
2. Is there something in the new National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines that could help me? Is my treatment plan consistent with the new guidelines?
3. Can you explain occupational asthma?
4. What over-the-counter (OTC) medications should I avoid? How do I know if I’m using OTC drugs too frequently?
5. What is the relationship between asthma and allergies?
6. What triggers attacks, and how can I avoid them?
7. Are there any new treatments? What about alternative treatments?
8. Should I limit my activities because of asthma? Am I settling for a lower quality of life because my asthma is not being properly controlled?
9. What should I do if I am having a severe exacerbation of asthma?
10. At what point should I see an asthma specialist?Please feel free to print this list and take it with you the next time you visit your doctor.