Are you taking your medication but still getting asthma or COPD symptoms? There’s no reason to suffer in silence; there may be various paths to help you breathe easier and enjoy life to the full. Work through this checklist to see if it’s time you visited your healthcare provider.
Have you been using your reliever inhaler more regularly than you’d hoped? Is breathlessness keeping you up at night? These are just a couple of red flags that indicate that your asthma or COPD might not be as well controlled as it could be. An adjustment to your medications or action plan could make all the difference.
What can be done?
It’s always useful to keep track of your daily peak flow measurements as it gives a good overview of the wellbeing of your lungs. And if you feel that your symptoms might be getting the upper hand, it’s time to book in for a check-up. Your healthcare provider can discuss your experiences and your peak flow measures, making sure you’re taking your medication correctly and that it’s up-to-date. They may advise a different medication or combination of medications that might work better for you.
There could also be measures you can take to reduce your asthma triggers or improve the way you deal with them. The ideal goal is that you feel confident in managing your symptoms, taking charge and going about doing the things that you enjoy.
Asthma and COPD checklist
- Have you had asthma symptoms for more than two days per week?
- Do you use your quick-relief inhaler multiple times per week?
- Do you wake up at night with trouble breathing 1-3 times per week?
- Do your symptoms make normal daily activities difficult? For example, have you missed work or school because of your symptoms?
- Have you required an emergency call, or an urgent hospital visit due to breathing difficulties?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, it may be an indication that it’s time to update your medication or re-visit your healthcare plan.
With asthma and COPD, you are in control of your day-to-day experience, but you aren’t alone in managing your condition. Increased comfort and control over your symptoms could be a doctor’s visit away – so don’t suffer in silence.
By Sarah Hudson
Photo by iStock
References:
Global Initiative for Asthma. Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention 2017.
Asthma UK, Asthma action plan.
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