Asthma Diagnosis

 

Your general practitioner or nurse is the best source of Asthma Diagnosis and typically, they would first check if the patient is using any substance or substances that can cause the narrowing of the airways.

 

These are known as broncoconstrictors (example. anti-inflammatory agents).

 

Asthma Diagnosis in many cases can be based on general findings with a patients clinical history and examination and can often be found as the cause of ezcema and other allergic conditions.

 

During an allergen trigger study of asthma in 2004, 42% of children tested positive for 3 or more allergens and 71% of children had positive results for only 1 allergen.

 

These triggers can often be identified by the patients history (hay fever,pollen allergies are normally seasonal symptoms), allergies to pets may abate when not at home, and patients with occupational asthma may improve, during leave from their workplace.

 

Symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, breathlessness, exposure of allergens, or symptoms triggered by exercise may not be sufficient for a complete Asthma Diagnosis.

 

Whilst measuring of an adults airway function is possible, it may not be possible to acheive this in younger children who cannot perform these tests due to growth of body functions. Asthma Diagnosis of children is therefore based on the complilation and analysis of the patients history, and using inhaled bronchodilator medication where you will have subsequent improvement. This may last for 4-6 weeks dependant on medications and their success.

 

For an accurate Asthma Diagnosis, there are two breathing tests (for the lung function) that can be performed to confirm this. A spirometer which will measure the capacity of the lungs, and a peak flow meter which is a personal device that is used to observe and detect the patients ability to exhale breath and the degree of obstruction in the airways.

 

It may also be inappropriate for children to use the peak flow meter as they are effort dependant which may result in poor and inconsistent results.

 

Asthma Diagnosis in adults and older children can be performed with a peak flow meter to test airway restrictions which show both diurnal variation and any such reversibility with medication such as inhaled bronchodilator medication.

 

To help with your self monitoring, it is essential to use the peak flow meter to monitor the severity of this disease. A more formal lung function test using a spirometer is required if the Asthma Diagnosis is doubted. Another element that may be required is a chest X-ray.

 

 

Information is provided here for an Asthma Attack.

 

You local general practitioner or nurse is the best source to determine your Asthma Diagnosis.