Diagnosis of Asthma - Get the Facts right

06 May

Posted by Dr John Anne as Asthma

A diagnosis of asthma usually is based on the patient’s symptoms, medical history, a physical examination, and laboratory tests that measure pulmonary (lung) function. Doctors typically look for signs that the patient’s airflow is obstructed and that the obstruction is at least partially reversible. Factors that trigger symptoms may be evident, such as exercise, cold air, and exposure to an allergen; however, the precipitating factors may not be clearly identified.

The common asthma symptoms are: coughing, wheezing, breath problems or chest tightness . In case these signs are stronger and more violent that usually, an asthma attack takes plan. These attacks are provoked by a tightening of the airwaves, which cause the lungs to receive an insufficient amount of air. This increases the inflammations and more mucus is produced, the mucus also narrows the airwaves. Breathing becomes very difficult at this point.

Asthma is diagnosed through a combination of a medical history, physical examination, and objective measurements of lung function and atopy. Asthma should be considered in anyone with a history of asthma symptoms associated with common triggers. If a patient is having an asthma episode at the time of the visit to the doctor, a physical examination can lead to an asthma diagnosis, especially if the symptoms improve after treatment with quick relief medicine. Objective measurements of airflow, such as spirometry and peak flow monitoring are also used to confirm these diagnoses

Diagnosis is based on the history, including family history of allergic or breathing problems. Acute episodes are usually straightforward to interpret but chronic, low-grade symptoms can be difficult. A peak flow meter can measure the degree of difficulty in breathing out and is a good indicator of the severity of an episode. These are often prescribed for patients to use at home in order to assess the need to present for or increase treatment. Well managed asthma involves the use of a treatment plan which explains actions to take depending on the peak flow score.

A lung function test using a peak flow meter (a device available on prescription that measures how hard and quickly you blow air out of your lungs).

Patient may be asked to keep a peak flow diary for a couple of weeks. If it is characteristically low in the morning and high in the evening, that is highly suggestive of asthma, but again is not a diagnosis.

Overall physical examination. If your doctor suspects asthma, he/she will pay special attention to your ears, eyes, nose, throat, skin, chest and lungs during the physical examination. This exam may include a pulmonary function test to detect how well you exhale air from your lungs. You may also need an X-ray of your lungs or sinuses. A physical exam then allows your doctor to further evaluate your overall health.

Diagnosing Asthma in Children.

The procedures used to diagnose asthma in children under the age of 5 are slightly different. Children this age usually aren’t given a breathing test. Instead, the doctor asks about certain signs and symptoms and prescribes a bronchodilator if he or she thinks it might be asthma. If the bronchodilator is helpful in reducing your child’s signs and symptoms, that is a sign that your child may have asthma.

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