Asthma is notoriously difficult for doctors to diagnose since symptoms come and go. That’s why you should always consult a doctor who is experienced with asthma diagnostic and treatment standards, preferably a board-certified allergist or pulmonologist.
A complete medical history, a physical exam, your symptoms, and overall health and test findings are all used to get an asthma diagnosis.
To diagnose asthma, your doctor will conduct testing. Some tests assess how effectively your lungs function. Others can detect allergies to mold, pollen, and other substances.
These asthma tests can help your doctor determine if you have asthma and any associated diseases such as allergies, GERD, or sinusitis.
Physical Examination
Your doctor will begin by performing a physical examination. They’re going to:
- Examine your nasal passages, throat, and upper airways.
- When you breathe, use a stethoscope to listen for a whistling sound.
- Examine your skin for signs of allergies such as eczema or hives.
They’ll also inquire about asthma symptoms such as:
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Breathing difficulties
- Chest constriction
Medical Background
To determine whether asthma or anything else is causing your condition, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and overall health. Some questions to consider are:
- What are your signs and symptoms?
- When are you going to have them?
- What appears to set them off? What about chilly temperatures, physical activity, or allergies?
- Do you suffer from allergies or hay fever?
- Is there someone in your family who suffers from hay fever, asthma, or allergies?
- Do you have any other health issues?
- What medications are you now taking?
- Are you frequently exposed to tobacco smoke, pets, dust, or airborne chemicals?
- What do you make a living doing?
Lung Function Examinations
Lung function tests determine how well your lungs are functioning. They’re used by doctors to diagnose asthma and track its progression. Monitoring asthma with lung function testing is beneficial since you may not always be able to tell whether your asthma is under control just by looking at your symptoms.
Lung function tests are usually performed in an exam room with sophisticated instruments that assess lung function. The examinations are likely to be performed by a specially trained respiratory therapist or technician.
Inquire with your doctor whether there is anything you can do to prepare for your lung function tests. You might need to modify your medicine, for example. Heavy meals, smoking, and any allergens or other items that could induce an asthma attack should all be avoided.
Different kinds of lung function testing
To diagnose and monitor asthma, several lung function tests are routinely used:
The most common test is spirometry. It’s a painless, quick, and easy approach to examining your lungs and airways. You take a deep inhale and exhale through a hose connected to a spirometer. It keeps track of how much air you expel (also known as forced vital capacity or FVC) and how rapidly you do it (called forced expiratory volume or FEV). Your score will be lower if your airways are swollen or constricted due to asthma or other lung illnesses. To track your asthma over time, your doctor may order multiple spirometry lung function tests. Spirometry may be performed before and after you take medicine.
Challenge tests are lung function tests that are used to confirm an asthma diagnosis. You breathe a little amount of a chemical like histamine or methacholine, which is known to cause asthma symptoms. Someone will test your lung function once you have inhaled the drug. Because challenge tests can set off an asthma attack, you should only have them done by someone who knows what they’re doing.
Peak flow meters assess how efficiently your lungs expel air. These lung function tests, while less accurate than spirometry, can be a helpful way to evaluate your lung function at home on a frequent basis — even before you notice any symptoms. A peak flow meter can tell you what triggers your asthma, whether your therapy is working, and when you should seek emergency attention. A peak flow meter is a little plastic tube with a mouthpiece on one end into which you breathe. Your doctor may request that you use the peak flow meter every day and record the results. You notify your doctor of the results after a few weeks.
Nitric oxide exhaled test. You’ll breathe into a tube attached to a machine that detects nitric oxide levels in your breath. Your body routinely produces this gas, but if your airways are inflamed, amounts may be elevated.
If you have asthma, your doctor can prescribe drugs to help you control your illness and avoid episodes.
You may try these helpful and effective asthma treatments:
5 Useful Ways to Take Control of Your Asthma
How Can Asthmatics Get a Better Night’s Sleep?
These Are the Best Treatments to Control An Asthma Cough
Make sure you have an asthma action plan in place at all times. It can also be helpful to incorporate a healthy and natural lung supplement that is meant to alleviate respiratory issues like allergic asthma.
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