Asthma Annual Review
If you are due your annual asthma review please can you complete the form below.
If your asthma symptoms have changed or if you have any questions or concerns, please make an appointment with the respiratory nurse.
Please click here to complete the asthma review questionnaire before your annual appointment.
Are you overdue for your Asthma review?
Did you know that:
- There are more than 1,000 deaths a year from asthma in the UK, 90% of which could be prevented, according to a 2011 government report.
- Asthma is responsible for tens of thousands of hospital admissions, the majority of which are emergency admissions.
We appreciate that for some of us work or life commitments can make it difficult to attend the practice for an appointment, but it is important that your asthma be reviewed regularly to ensure your inhalers still suit your needs.
What happens at a review?
It’s a chance to check how you’re getting on with your asthma. You can discuss how to avoid any triggers that set off your asthma or concerns about side effects of your medicines.
- Think about what you want to ask at the review, for instance:
- Am I on the right dose of medicine?
- Is my medicine working?
- Is this the best inhaler for me?
- Is my inhaler technique right? (Remember; to take your inhalers with you to show your technique!)
- What situations seem to make my asthma worse?
- What should I do in an asthma emergency/asthma attack?
Our Respiratory Nurse will also check your peak flow reading.
We look forward to seeing you for your Asthma Review. If you are not able to come into the Surgery we can also offer a telephone consultation with one of the nurses.
Use your Pharmacist
Your pharmacist is a useful source of information if you are having a problem with your Asthma.
Preventing attacks
Most people who have asthma attacks will have warning signs for a few days before the attack. These include having to use your blue reliever inhaler more often; changes in your peak flow meter readings, and increased symptoms, such as waking up with a night cough or wheezing or have a tight chest.
Don’t ignore these warning signs, as they indicate that your asthma control is poor and you risk having a severe attack.
Follow your personal asthma action plan. If your symptoms continue to get worse, make an urgent appointment to see your doctor or asthma nurse. Never be frightened of calling for help in an emergency.
If you take the right medicines properly you should rarely have asthma symptoms. Many people put up with lots of different asthma symptoms, sometimes without realising that it doesn’t have to be this way.
By having a regular asthma review and using a personal asthma action plan you can get better control over your asthma, meaning you’re less likely to have asthma symptoms or an asthma attack.
Your asthma isn’t well controlled if you are:
- Using your reliever inhaler more and more
- Waking at night with wheezing, shortness of breath, a tight chest or coughing
- Having to take time off work or school because of your asthma
- Feeling that you can’t keep up with your normal day-to-day activities or exercise
Smoking and asthma
Smoking can:
- Make asthma medicines less effective,
- Increase the risk of an asthma attack
- Permanently damage your airways.
Stopping smoking can be difficult, but it will have a massive impact on your asthma. If you would like help to stop smoking, please contact One You Lincolnshire.
