Asthma reviews

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.
A woman with asthma is shown her personal asthma action plan during an asthma review.

When should you have an asthma review?

  • Every year if your symptoms are well controlled or more often if your symptoms are difficult to control.
  • A month or so after your asthma medicines are changed – to new medicine or if your normal medicine has been increased or decreased.
  • Within 48 hours of a serious asthma attack to make sure your symptoms are better controlled. You also need another review one to two weeks after a serious attack to make sure your symptoms are back under control.
  • If your personal asthma action plan is not helping you to get back in control of your symptoms.

During a review you should expect to be asked the following three 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?

At your asthma review you should also discuss:

  • 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.