Asthma annual review checklist

Overview

An asthma annual review is a yearly check-up with your nurse or doctor to make sure your asthma is well controlled and your treatment plan is up to date.

Yes, annual reviews are recommended by health services for everyone with asthma.

Anyone with asthma, including children, teenagers, and adults.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Waking up at night with coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness.
• Using your reliever inhaler three or more times a week.
• Feeling short of breath during daily activities like climbing stairs.

Symptoms in children

• Coughing at night or during play.
• Tiredness because of poor sleep from asthma symptoms.
• Avoiding sports or games because of breathing trouble.

Symptoms in older adults

• Worsening shortness of breath that affects daily tasks.
• Increased use of reliever inhaler.
• More frequent chest infections that trigger asthma.

Causes

Main causes

• Not taking your preventer inhaler as prescribed every day.
• Using the wrong inhaler technique, so the medicine does not reach your lungs.
• Exposure to triggers like tobacco smoke, dust mites, pollen, or pet dander.

Risk factors

• Smoking or being around secondhand smoke.
• Having allergies or eczema.
• Being overweight or obese.
• Stress or strong emotions.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you have any of the emergency symptoms listed above, call for immediate help.
• If your reliever inhaler is not helping at all, seek urgent care.

Book a routine appointment if:

• Your annual review is a routine visit scheduled once a year.
• Also see your provider if you have ongoing symptoms between reviews, such as using your reliever more often or waking up at night.

Diagnosis

Your doctor diagnoses asthma based on your symptoms, a physical exam, and breathing tests. During the annual review, your provider will reassess your control.

Tests that may be done

• Spirometry (a test that measures how much air you can blow out).
• Peak flow monitoring (using a small device to check your lung function).
• Allergy tests may be done to identify triggers.

What to expect at your appointment

At your annual review, your provider will ask about your symptoms, check your inhaler technique, review your peak flow diary, and update your written asthma action plan. It usually takes 15–30 minutes.

Treatment

Asthma treatment aims to control symptoms, prevent attacks, and help you live an active life. It usually involves a daily preventer inhaler and a reliever inhaler for quick relief.

Self-care at home

• Take your preventer inhaler exactly as prescribed every day, even when you feel well.
• Use a written asthma action plan to know what to do when symptoms change.
• Identify and avoid your personal triggers, such as smoke, dust, or pollen.

Medical treatments

Doctors may prescribe a preventer (controller) inhaler to reduce airway inflammation and a reliever (rescue) inhaler for fast symptom relief. They may adjust the dose or add other treatments based on your control. Always follow your provider's advice and never change your medications without consulting them.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is not a routine treatment for asthma. In rare cases, a specialist may recommend a procedure for severe asthma, but this is only after other treatments have been tried.

Living with this condition

With good control, most people with asthma can work, exercise, and enjoy life. The annual review helps you stay on track.

Lifestyle tips

• Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Keep your home clean to reduce dust mites and mold.
• Get recommended vaccines, such as flu and pneumonia vaccines.

Diet and exercise

A balanced diet and regular exercise are encouraged. Exercise can strengthen your lungs. Warm up before activity and use your reliever inhaler before exercise if advised by your doctor.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Living with a chronic condition can be stressful or cause anxiety about attacks. Your annual review is a good time to share how you are feeling. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to your healthcare provider or a mental health professional.

Prevention

You cannot prevent asthma from developing, but you can prevent attacks by following your treatment plan, avoiding triggers, and attending your annual review.

Vaccines

A yearly flu vaccine and a pneumonia vaccine (if recommended) can help reduce the risk of infections that trigger asthma.

Screening programmes

There is no routine screening for asthma, but annual reviews serve as ongoing monitoring to catch problems early.

Complications

If left untreated

• More frequent and severe asthma attacks.
• Hospital stays and emergency visits.
• Long-term decline in lung function.
• Missed school, work, or daily activities.

Long-term outlook

With proper management and regular check-ups, most people with asthma can lead full, active lives. The annual review is a simple but powerful tool to keep your asthma under control and prevent complications.

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