Medical history

The first step in diagnosing asthma is talking to your doctor about your symptoms and your health. This can provide clues as to whether asthma or something else is causing your symptoms. Your doctor will likely ask about your symptoms and your exposure to substances that have been linked to asthma. Questions might include:

• What are your symptoms? When do they occur? What, if anything, seems to trigger them?
• Are you often exposed to tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, dust or other airborne irritants?
• Do you have hay fever or another allergic condition?
• Do you have blood relatives, such as a parent, aunt, grandparent or cousin, with asthma, hay fever or other allergies?
• What health problems do you have?
• What medications or herbal supplements do you take?
• What is your occupation?
• Do you have pet birds, or do you raise pigeons?