Symptoms and medical history

Your healthcare professional will likely ask you several questions about symptoms, the time and place of symptoms, daily activities and medical history. Be prepared to answer these questions about your experience or to answer them on behalf of your child.

Questions about breathing. Your healthcare professional will likely ask you questions about current or recent breathing symptoms:

• Can you hear a whistling sound or wheezing while breathing?
• Do you ever find it hard to breathe or catch your breath?
• Have you had chest tightness or pain?
• Have you had a cough?

Questions about the time or place of symptoms:

• Do the symptoms come and go?
• Do breathing troubles or a cough wake you up or keep you awake?
• What time of day do symptoms happen?
• Are symptoms worse at certain times of the year?
• Do you have symptoms after exercising?
• Where are you when you have symptoms or when symptoms get worse — home, school, work or somewhere else?

Questions about other factors related to asthma:

• Do you have symptoms when you're around pets?
• Do you have allergies? Is there a history of asthma or allergies in your family?
• Have you had a cold, the flu or other illness recently?
• Do you smoke or vape? Are you around secondhand smoke?
• Are you exposed to chemicals, fumes, smoke or other irritants?
• Do you get heartburn? Do you ever have a bitter or acidic taste in your mouth?
• What recreational activities and hobbies do you do regularly?
• What medicines, herbs or supplements do you take?

Questions about the impact of symptoms:

• Have you missed school or work because of symptoms?
• Have you had emergency room visits for these symptoms?
• Do you avoid activities because of symptoms?