Asthma Diagnosis

diagnosing asthma doctor patient
Asthma is a chronic illness that causes inflammation and constriction of the bronchial tubes (airways) in the lungs. The disease affects about 300 million people worldwide, both children and adults. While there is no known cure for asthma, asthma treatments can help control symptoms, and people with asthma can lead active, healthy lives. Diagnosing asthma is the first step toward relieving symptoms and feeling better.

Symptoms of Asthma

Symptoms of asthma can vary greatly from person to person and can change over time. Some people have very mild asthma and feel completely normal between infrequent episodes. Others may experience symptoms every evening or all the time. Some common symptoms of asthma include:
  • audible wheezing on exhalation
  • coughing and wheezing bouts made worse by colds or flu
  • feeling of tightness in the chest
  • shortness of breath
  • symptoms that worsen after exercise or exposure to cold air, or during the night
  • trouble sleeping because of breathing symptoms.

Getting a Diagnosis

If you have been having episodes of coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing, it is possible that you have asthma. Visiting your doctor can help you get an accurate diagnosis and begin feeling better. Some ways that doctors diagnose asthma include:
  • Asking you about your symptoms and determining what may be triggering them. The doctor will also want to know about your family health history and if you have any allergies.
  • Examining the inside your nose to see if your nasal lining is swollen, or if you have increased secretions or polyps.
  • Listening to your chest to hear if your airways are obstructed.
  • Taking a skin examination to see if you have eczema or hives, which are signs of allergies.

If your doctor suspects asthma, a variety of tests can confirm the diagnosis. You may be asked to take one of the following tests:

  • Challenge Test: During a challenge lung function test, your doctor aims to trigger symptoms by having you take several breaths of cold air, or inhale an airway constricting substance. If your episodes are triggered by exercise, you may be asked to run or perform some other vigorous activity.
  • Exhaled Nitric Oxide: This new approach measures a chemical marker of asthma, nitric oxide in exhaled air. Usually the more nitric oxide in the exhalation, the more severe the asthma. While exhaled, nitric oxide testing is showing promising results, it is expensive and requires specialized equipment not available in all doctor's offices.
  • Spirometry: During this non-invasive lung function test, you will take deep breaths and exhale forcefully through a hose into a machine called a spirometer.
Children under the age of five are seldom given lung function tests, as they have difficulty following the instructions. When asthma is suspected in very young children, doctors often prescribe bronchodilator medication. If the child improves, it is likely that he has asthma.
 
To rule out other respiratory conditions, your doctor may also order you take blood work, CT scans, X-rays and other tests.

Asthma Treatments

Once you have received an asthma diagnosis, you can begin treatment to relieve your symptoms. Treatments for asthma have improved dramatically in recent years, and it is possible to be free of symptoms for long periods of time with medication. Some of the ways asthma is treated include:
  • Long Term Control Medicines: These medicines are usually taken daily to prevent symptoms and include inhaled corticosteroids, cromolyn, leukotriene modifiers, long-acting beta-2 agonists, nedocromil and theophylline.
  • Rescue, or Quick Relief Medicines: These medications provide quick, short-term relief of symptoms when you are having an asthma attack. Your doctor may also prescribe rescue medication for preventive use, 15 minutes before exercise. Rescue medications include ipratropium and short-acting beta-2 agonists. Acute attacks may be treated with oral and IV corticosteroids.
If your asthma is allergy-induced, your doctor may also prescribe de-sensitizing allergy shots.

Living Well With Asthma

With treatment, asthma shouldn't keep you from enjoying the things you love. Removing asthma triggers from your home environment will also help you to feel your best. To get the most out of life with asthma:
  • Clean regularly with non-irritating cleaning products. If the act of cleaning triggers your asthma, wear a mask or get help from a family member or friend.
  • Exercise as recommended by your doctors.
  • Keep your house as free of dust as possible by replacing carpet with hard floors, putting dust-proof covers on bedding and using washable curtains and blinds.
  • Lower the humidity in your home with a dehumidifier.
  • Reduce stress with techniques such as guided imagery, meditation and yoga.
  • Run your air conditioner to filter allergens from the air at home.
  • Take your medicine as prescribed, even if you aren't experiencing symptoms.
Resources
 
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2008). Asthma. Retrieved March 15, 2009, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma/DS00021.
 
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2007). Asthma: Steps in diagnosis. Retrieved March 15, 2009, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma/AS00003.
 
Wiley Publishing, Inc. (2009). Diagnosing asthma. Retrieved March 15, 2009, from the Dummies Web site: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/diagnosing-asthma.html.