Getting Your Asthma Information and Case History
In order for your doctor to be able to diagnose if your asthma is mild or severe, he or she will need information on your asthma history and where you might have possibly developed it from. Acquiring information and developing your asthma case history can be done by asking yourself a series of questions that will help you better understand your condition and clearly communicate your concerns with your physician.
Here are some of the questions you can ask:
- Do you have any of these symptoms of asthma?
1) shortness of breath,
2) wheezing,
3) coughing,
4) coughing with wheezing,
5) tickle in the throat leading to coughing,
6) coughing which produces mucus,
7) coughing brought on by laughter,
8) chest tightness, or
9) shortness of breath with physical exertion?
- Do you feel that your wheezing comes from
1) your neck (indicating a possible upper airway blockage), or
2) your chest (indicating to asthma as the possible cause)?
- Do you have asthma symptoms on a daily basis, occasionally, or only under certain conditions?
- Are your symptoms worse at night, worse at work, worse at home or during weekends, worse outdoors, worse indoors, or worse in different parts of the country?
- Do your symptoms begin suddenly, gradually become worse over time, flare only with infections, or vary with the allergy seasons?
As you can see from the above information, asthma symptoms can be quite varied. It is important to be aware that not all wheezing is due to asthma. Obstructions of the upper airway, like a foreggin body or polyps of the vocal chords can cause symptoms that mimic asthma.
Other problems, such as heart failure and lung cancer, can also cause wheezing and be misinterpreted as asthma. Thus, it is best that you have a chest X-ray as part of your asthma evaluation, since asthma alone does not give rise to an abnormal chest X-ray.
To generate more information and a better understanding of your asthma condition, you can also ask the questions below.
- Do you have upper respiratory probems, such as sinusitis, hay fever, postnasal drip, or nasal polyps?
- Do you have a hiatus hernia, belch repeatedly, or have a sour taste in your mouth after eating?
- Did your asthma become worse during pregnancy?
- Do you have a history of heart problems?
- Are you a cigarette smoker?
- Was your most recent chest X-ray normal?
The pattern of your asthma symptoms is also vital for determining the best treatment available. For instance, the approach will vary according to whether your symptoms being suddenly, gradually or escalate with infection, or respond to seasonal changes. Again, there are a variety of factors involved with it.
In completing your asthma information and case history, it is also important to pinpoint which factors precipitate your asthma attacks. This is best done with the help of a doctor, as self diagnosis can often lead to wrong interpretations and delay the administration of proper treatment and care. The more informed you are about your condition, the better you will be able to address it. Don’t scrimp on the details. This is your health you’re dealing with.