Annual asthma review
Regular monitoring of your asthma is important to ensure your symptoms are under control and treatment is working effectively. Once a year we will be in touch with you to discuss how your symptoms are affecting you, how well your treatment is working and to update your current action plan.
This year we are trialling a new system for our reviews where we will send you a text message with various questions about your asthma control. This will allow us to see whether your asthma is well controlled or whether further input from us is needed.
If you have any concerns about your asthma, please get in touch with us at the practice. You can also keep track of your own asthma control by reviewing some of the questions below.
Asthma control test
The asthma control test provides a snapshot of how well your asthma has been controlled over the last four weeks, giving you a score out of 25. Asthma symptoms can change monthly so it can be useful to do this test and see if your score changes.
For adults:
Click here to complete the adult asthma control test.
- Score 21-25 – Your asthma appears to be well controlled over the last four weeks, however if you are experiencing any problems with your asthma you should contact us at the practice.
- Score 0-20 – Your asthma may not have been controlled over the last four weeks and you should contact us at the practice to further discuss your asthma management.
For children:
Click here to complete the child (0-12 years) asthma control test.
- Score 20-27 – Your child’s asthma appears to be well controlled and you should continue with their current management plan. However, if you have any other concerns then contact us at the practice.
- Score 0-19 – Your child’s asthma may not be well controlled and you should contact us at the practice for further advice.
Peak flow monitoring
What is peak flow?
- Peak flow is a measure of how quickly you can blow air out of your lungs
- You measure peak flow by blowing as hard and as fast as you can into a small device called a peak flow meter
- Peak flow readings can sometimes become lower when your asthma is getting worse
- People get different peak flows depending on their age, height and gender
Checking your peak flow
- Monitoring your peak flow can sometimes be useful to see how well your asthma is being controlled
- Keeping a diary of your peak flows and bringing it along to appointments can help identify asthma control and possible exacerbations
How to take a peak flow reading?
Click here to see a short video on how to use your peak flow meter correctly and take a reading.
