Family HealthCare Frisco, TX: Managing Asthma with Your Doctor

In addition to consulting with your doctor, you need to take an active role in managing your asthma. This condition requires patients to keep track of their symptoms on a regular basis and measure how well your lungs are performing. Your doctor will need this information to best adjust your treatment plan over time. The more proactive you are in the process, the fewer asthma attacks and symptoms you will experience.
We recommend keeping a journal to record anything that triggers your asthma. It is also important to note what symptoms occur and when, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, and changes in mucus coughed up. Noting how often a quick-relief inhaler is used and how many puffs are needed will help your doctor make treatment adjustments, too. If you are experiencing problems with work, school, exercise or other normal daily life functions due to asthma, bring it up with your doctor right away.
You should expect your doctor to regularly schedule breathing tests to observe the function of your lungs. A peak flow test can be done at home with a simple hand-held device. This will inform you how fast you can expel air out of the lungs. Spirometry tests are usually done with a machine during checkups at the doctor’s office. This simple test can measure the amount of air your lungs can take in and how much can be exhaled in one second after a deep breath.
It is not unusual for the symptoms of asthma to change in severity. If you are bothered by these symptoms often, your doctor may need to increase or change the medicines you use. On the other hand, your medications may be able to be decreased if you are having fewer problems with age or at certain times of the year. Know that using a quick-relief inhaler frequently to treat symptoms is a good sign your asthma is not under control and the treatment plan needs to be reevaluated.
Regular visits with your doctor need to be an important part of family healthcare in Frisco, TX and your plan to manage asthma. Call 7 Health at 214-501-5818 to make an appointment and learn more about our benefits.
Family Healthcare Frisco TX
7 Health
9191 Kyser Way, Suite 602
Frisco, Texas 75033
(214) 501-5818