Step 12: Visit your doctor regularly

You should continue to visit your doctor regularly to check how well your asthma is being controlled. In general, even patients with intermittent asthma should see their doctor about every 6 months. Those patients with more severe asthma usually need to be seen more often.

To prepare for each doctor's visit:

One of your doctor's goals is to find the optimal level of medication needed to keep your asthma under control. If your medications are lowered to a point where your symptoms return, then they will usually need to be bumped back up a little. This is why it can be so helpful for you to keep a daily record chart. A chart helps you keep track of how well you did as your medications were adjusted.

Based on the results of the visit and how you answered the questions, the doctor may need to adjust your medication and give you new written instructions (a new action plan).

Learn More

What to expect at the doctor's office

Who should you see?

Asthma can be managed by a pediatrician, family doctor, or primary care provider. Allergists and respiratory specialists have specific training in the care of asthma and in some cases may be more familiar with current clinical guidelines, such as the National Institutes of Health asthma guidelines. Some patients may wish to go to an allergist or other specialist for a second opinion or to get the initial treatment plan established.

There are times you probably should see an allergist or respiratory specialist for an evaluation. These include:

Regardless of whether you see a specialist or not, find a doctor who is interested in working with you as a team player. Try to keep track of important information in your daily log, so your doctor will be better able to help you. Remember -- asthma is a condition that can be managed!

Reference

National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Rockville, MD. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2007. NIH publications 08-4051.

 


Review Date: 6/29/2012
Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine UMDNJ-NJMS, Attending Physician in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Previoulsy reviewed by David A. Kaufman, MD, Section Chief, Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital-Yale New Haven Health System, and Assistant Clinical Professor, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. (6/1/2010)
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
© 1997- adam.comAll rights reserved.
A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.