Questions to ask your doctor or asthma nurse

To help you keep your asthma under control, it is important that you are given the information you need to understand your condition. Sometimes it is difficult to know what questions to ask your doctor or nurse. Below are a list of the questions you might like to ask. Print out this list and tick the questions you would like to know the answer to. If you or your family have any further questions, you can add them to the list and take it with you when you next see your doctor or nurse.
Doctor and patient in consultation.

Ask the right questions

  • What is asthma?
  • Why have I got asthma?
  • What are the symptoms of asthma?
  • What are peak flows and what do they mean?
  • Will I always have asthma?
  • What treatment is there for asthma?
  • What are relievers and when should I use them?
  • What are preventers and why should I take them regularly?
  • What other treatments are there for asthma?
  • How do I use my inhaler?
  • What are the side effects of treatment?
  • Are inhaled steroids safe?
  • What about complementary therapy?
  • How will asthma affect what I can do?
  • How can I avoid the triggers that make my asthma worse?
  • Can I exercise with asthma?
  • Can I go camping, go on holiday?
  • Will it affect my job?
  • Should I have allergy tests?
  • What about asthma attacks?
  • How will I know my asthma is getting worse?
  • What should I do if my asthma gets worse?
  • How do I know if it is an emergency?
  • How do I know when I am better?
  • How do I make sure I stay well?

List any other questions you have about:

  • having asthma
  • asthma treatment
  • living with asthma
  • asthma attacks