Your Asthma Checkup: How To Go To It Prepared

Asthma is a serious medical attention, and having it means spending a lot of time getting to know your treatment options, asthma triggers and long term health needs. If you want to make the most of your life while living with asthma, it is important to go to every medical appointment prepared. This is the best way to stay involved in your treatment and make sure your doctor is adequately meeting your needs.

Anytime you visit your physician, make sure you ask a lot of questions. Take the time to write down any concerns you have about medications, triggers or treatment options in advance. If you have recently heard about a new treatment option or natural remedy, ask your medical professional about it. Your doctor should spend a  good amount of time listening to your needs and honestly answering your questions. This will help you to stay informed and make you feel proactive during your treatment. 



In addition to asking a lot of questions, it can be helpful to bring along a second set of ears. Ask a trusted friend or family member to accompany you to your medical appointment, and if possible, as the same person to accompany you to all your medical appointments. Encourage that person to ask a lot of questions and take notes when your doctor is talking. Since so much information is given out during even a short doctor's visit, it can be easy to miss something important. With a second set of ears, you are less likely to miss important information and more likely to get all your questions answered. 



Another important thing to take to your medical appointments is a list of medications. Make sure your list includes everything the doctor you are visiting has prescribed, as well as any prescriptions from other medical professionals. Also include over the counter medications, vitamins and herbal treatments that you are taking regularly. Having this list will help to ensure that your doctor does not prescribe something new that might adversely affect you due to a current medication you are taking, and it also helps you to understand any changes to medications or dosage instructions that your doctor might feel are necessary. 



Finally, listen to your doctor. If your doctor gives you treatment instructions and you never follow them, they will not help your asthmatic condition. If your doctor prescribes a medication and you never take it, the same is true. Have an open and honest relationship with your doctor. If you do not like information you are given or something in your lifestyle prohibits you from following advice, tell your doctor the truth. Only through such open and honest communication can you truly improve your lifestyle and beat an asthma attack.



Stay active in your asthma treatment. Doing so is important to both your overall health and quality of life. Find a medical professional that you are comfortable with, visit him regularly and talk openly to him. This is the best way to fight back against asthma.