From: Asthma
• Asthma symptoms (cough, wheeze, increased work of breathing)? |
• Age of onset of symptoms? |
• Timing of symptoms (day vs. night)? |
• Is there a seasonal component to the worsening of symptoms? |
• Possible triggers (viral infections, animal exposures, pollens, tobacco smoke, emotion)? |
• Severity of symptoms (often reflected by unscheduled physician appointments at a walk-in clinic or emergency room, hospital admissions, and need for rescue oral corticosteroids)? |
• Past investigations including chest X-rays, spirometry, allergy testing, sweat chloride testing? |
• Other co-morbidities (e.g., food allergy, venom allergy)? |
• Current and past treatments? Duration of use? Reasons for discontinuation? |
• Barriers to treatment (cost of medication, proximity to health care providers)? |
• Exposure to second- and third-hand (i.e., the lingering smell of tobacco smoke on clothing or in vehicles) tobacco smoke? |
• Presence of household pets? |
• Impact of the symptoms on the patient/family quality of life (missed time from activities, school or work due to asthma symptoms)? |