When you have asthma, it’s important to work closely with your doctor to manage the condition and prevent complications from developing. Clear communication, a personal asthma action plan, and regular visits to your physician can make a big difference in helping you take good care of yourself and stay healthy. Here’s a step-by-step guide to talking to your doctor effectively about asthma:

Step One: Know your numbers.

First, find out how severe your asthma is and what you can expect over time. Then, find out how to set your targets for managing your condition: What are your spirometry and peak flow readings? What ranges are you aiming for with medications and lifestyle modifications that are prescribed by your physician? How and when should you use a peak flow meter?

Step Two: Manage your medicines.

Ask your doctor to explain why you’re taking a particular asthma medication, whether it’s a quick-relief (or “rescue”) medication or a long-term control drug, how it works, how often you should take it and whether it should be taken with or without food (if it’s an oral drug), and what side effects or potential interactions you should watch out for. Are there any over-the-counter or prescription drugs you should avoid (such as aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or beta blockers) because they can provoke an asthma attack? Are there any possible interactions or side effects you should be aware of with other drugs you may be taking (for migraines or anxiety, for instance)? During your appointment, have your doctor check how effectively you’re using your inhaler and ask whether you should use a spacer or holding chamber.

Step Three: Look at your lifestyle.

Find out how you should modify your diet, how often and vigorously you should exercise and whether you should take medication beforehand if you have symptoms of asthma when you exercise. Also, what environmental changes should you make to decrease your exposure to triggers? Should you add a special home-air filtration system to reduce allergens and irritants that could trigger asthma symptoms? Also, should you learn new ways to cope with stress or try to lose weight? Being under chronic stress or considerably overweight can make it harder to control asthma. 

Step Four: Plan ahead.

Ask your doctor how often you should check your peak-flow readings at home and how often you should be seen for routine visits and what tests you should expect at these appointments. In addition, ask what other medical conditions—like gastroesophageal reflux disease or sleep apnea—may complicate your management of asthma and when you should seek additional help for those.

Step Five: Fill in the blanks.

To make sure you’re not overlooking anything important, it helps to ask your doctor a few catch-all questions, such as: What else do I need to know? What stumbling blocks should I watch out for in my care? What signs suggest that my asthma is getting better or worse? What kinds of symptoms or changes should always be reported to you? When should I seek emergency care and what kind of medication should I take in the meantime?