Asthma and COPD review questions

Overview

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, are different conditions that can cause breathing difficulties. Symptoms may include wheeze, cough and reduced tolerance of activity. A known diagnosis does not mean every new breathing problem has the same cause.

A review is most useful when you can explain the difference between your usual breathing and what has changed. Mention interrupted sleep, having to stop during ordinary tasks or needing to use existing treatment more often, even if you have gradually adapted your routine.

By telephone

For a stable concern, telephone discussion can help review symptoms, existing instructions and questions about continuing care. Have your personal action plan and the names of your devices nearby. Tell the doctor if you have not understood part of the plan or find a device difficult to use.

Discuss previous attacks or admissions, smoking or occupational exposures and recent treatment changes. The call can help identify whether a routine review, an observed technique check or a more urgent examination is appropriate. It should leave you clear about the next action.

What cannot be done remotely

A telephone call cannot listen to your chest, observe inhaler technique or perform diagnostic breathing tests. Suspected asthma or COPD may require examination and tests rather than diagnosis from a description alone.

A worsening attack is not suitable for waiting for a planned consultation. Follow your existing personal action plan while seeking the level of help it specifies. Remote advice should support, rather than replace, necessary ongoing checks with your care team.

What to prepare

• Describe activity and sleep compared with your usual baseline.
• Have your action plan, current treatment and any monitoring diary available.
• List recent flare-ups, admissions and courses of treatment.
• Note device difficulties and questions about triggers or follow-up.

Sources

• NHS: asthma
• NHS: COPD
• NHS: COPD assessment