Asthma

An asthma review is an appointment with your doctor or asthma nurse to talk about your asthma and discuss ways in which you can control your symptoms better. It is a way for us to review your medications, the way you use your inhalers and your peak flow reading. Having annual checks improves asthma control, prevents serious attacks and improves your quality of life.

At your asthma check it is important to bring along any inhalers you are using for your asthma, because we will want to make sure that you are using your treatment correctly.  We will also want to measure your peak flow ( a device that measures how much air you can blow out in one go). If your peak flow measurement begins to fall it can be an early warning sign of a worsening of your asthma and allows you to adjust your treatment to prevent this. You should expect to be asked the following questions:

• Have you had difficulty sleeping because of your asthma symptoms (including cough)?
• Have you had your usual asthma symptoms during the day (cough, wheeze, chest tightness or breathlessness)?
• Has your asthma interfered with your usual activities?

You should also plan to discuss the following with the nurse:

• your written personal asthma action plan
• your asthma medicines and if they are working for you
• the inhalers you are using and if you are able to use your inhaler easily
• how your asthma is affecting your life.

They will take a peak flow measurement and if you are a child may measure your height . If necessary, they will make recommendations about improving your treatment. If you are a smoker the nurse will be able to offer you help with stopping.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease. The main symptom of COPD is shortness of breath, which is caused by narrowed airways. The main reason for developing COPD is smoking.

If you have COPD you will also need an annual check to review your medications, how your breathing is in a similar way to the asthma check detailed above. The main difference is is that you should also have an annual spirometry test.

Spirometry is a special test that involves blowing into a device attached to a computer. It measures the function of your lungs and can with identifying deteriorations in your condition and hence help us manage your symptoms.

If you smoke we really will try to help you stop as this will significantly improve your symptoms and slow the deterioration in your lungs, however old you are.
 

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