Allergen exposures |
Do you have asthma symptoms year-round or only certain times of year?
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Do you have pets? Or birds? Are they indoors or outdoors most of the time?
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Have you seen cockroaches at home/school/work in the past month? How about rodents?
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Is there moisture, dampness, moldy odor, or visible mold in your home?¶
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For patients who live in dry climates, do you use an evaporative cooler (also known as a swamp cooler)? These coolers are associated with increased humidity and increased mold/dust mites.
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Do your asthma symptoms get worse during pollen seasons (eg, tree pollen in early spring in New England) or more humid times of year (suggests molds and dust mites)?
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Have you ever had allergy skin or IgE testing? If so, do you have the results?
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Irritant exposures |
Do you smoke cigarettes? If so, how many/day and how long have you smoked?
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Does anyone at home/work/daycare smoke?
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Do you smoke cannabis (marijuana), use electronic cigarettes, or vape?
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Do you use a wood-burning stove or fireplace at home?
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Do you have any unvented/open fire stoves or heaters at home?
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Are you exposed regularly to smells or fumes from perfumes, cleaning agents, or sprays?
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Work and school |
Do you cough, wheeze or need your inhaler more during the week at work/school than on weekends or times away from work/school?
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Do your eyes or nose itch or feel irritated at work/school?
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Do coworkers or other students have similar symptoms?
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Are you exposed to fumes, dusts, or vapors at work? If so, what?
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Nasal problems |
Do you have seasonal or persistent nasal congestion, runny nose, postnasal drip, or decreased sense of smell?
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Are your nasal symptoms worse at home/school/work?
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Gastroesophageal reflux |
Do you have heartburn (burning sensation in the chest); does food come back up into your mouth; or do you sense/taste sour stomach acid coming up into your throat?
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Medications that can worsen asthma |
Do you use eye drops? If so, which? Do your asthma symptoms worsen after taking them?
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Do you use any medications that contain beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors? Has your asthma worsened since you started taking this medication?
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Do you take aspirin or other NSAIDs? Do your asthma symptoms flare when you take them?
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Possible sulfite sensitivityΔ |
Do you have wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath after eating shrimp, dried fruit, or processed potatoes or after drinking beer or wine?
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ACE: angiotensin-converting enzyme; IgE: immunoglobulin E; NSAID: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
* These questions are examples and do not represent a standardized assessment or diagnostic instrument. The validity and reliability of these questions have not been assessed.
¶ Higher humidity makes mold and mite exposure more likely. Visible mold suggests significant mold exposure.
Δ Rare issue in children.Do you want to add Medilib to your home screen?