Asthma Diagnosis

Why Asthma Diagnosis Must Be Made Quickly

Asthma diagnosis is one which is difficult for a physician to make with absolute certainty, as there is no specific test which will definitely reveal the presence of an asthmatic condition. The problem is made even more difficult by the fact that there are several different types of asthma which have different symptoms and aggravating factors. It is usual for physicians to monitor patients and to make notes of when attacks occur, using this to eventually narrow down the diagnosis to probable asthma.

Although we know for certain that specific factors can make an asthmatic condition far worse, we do not yet know for sure what causes asthma in the first place. The strong likelihood is that the causes are environmental, as the numbers of people suffering from asthma has risen dramatically as the environment in Western countries has become more polluted. Materials used in building and construction have been suspected, as has the inevitable result of increased road traffic. It is more than likely that a combination of factors is needed before the condition develops, and different combinations will produce slightly different symptoms and trigger factors. All of this makes exact diagnosis far more difficult.

The factors which exacerbate the condition in any given case can often be used to diagnose the asthma with reasonable probability. If the asthma attacks or triggers occur more frequently when the patient is at home, it is more than likely that they have some reaction to domestic dust. Dust mites are one of the most significant factors in the development of asthma symptoms, and there is now evidence that they play a part in causing the condition. If a child is exposed to dust mites during the first year of their life, they will have a greatly increased risk of developing asthma. If this diagnosis is made, the home will need to be kept as dust free as possible.

Asthma Testing and Diagnosis

Fast and accurate testing and diagnosis of asthma can help greatly with the management and control of the conditions, and it can also increase the chances of the patient recovering fully at a later stage. This is especially true in child asthma, where the early treatment of the disease can dramatically increase the chances of the child being free of all symptoms by the time they reach adulthood. If asthma is correctly diagnosed, the patient can be given light doses of corticosteroid drugs over a long period of time, giving the body the greatest chance of learning to breathe properly again.

The size of the impact of asthma diagnosis in young children is shown by the fact that asthma accounts for many more hospitalizations in children than any other chronic illness. Besides, asthma causes children and adolescents to miss a lot of school. It also causes parents to miss days at work. As might be expected, asthma also takes into account that there are far more school absences than any other chronic illness.

It might be interesting to note that Allergic Rhinitis has been shown to be a common Ear, Nose and Throat disorder. Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis are diseases and conditions with a similar underlying origin and development.

Accurate diagnosis is even more essential for successful long term treatment, as this will involve the constant application of a drug, usually through an inhaler. It is important to start with a small or low dose and build up, partly because of the need to avoid giving the body any more drugs than is necessary, but to a large extent because of the need to monitor the reaction in the patient's body. If for some reason the problem has not been correctly diagnosed, the treatment can be discontinued without any serious harm having been done.

Steps in Testing Asthma

Making an asthma diagnosis is difficult for a trained medical practitioner, so it is certainly no task for a lay person. If you think there is a possibility that you or a family member may have asthma, lose no time in going to see a physician and having the condition examined. Request an appointment for a physical exam, and take the necessary steps in testing for any signs and symptoms, such as allergies, airways or airflow obstruction, hay fever, colds or respiratory tract infections, hyper responsiveness, coughs, flu, runny nose, wheezing, allergic reactions, and respiratory infections, antibodies and other chemicals. Also, you may need to seek seek emergency care.

A medical history and up-to-date (not old) health information, including a physical examination and family history, will assist the doctor in giving you the care and support you need to treat your asthma symptoms if, indeed, that is the case. The asthma specialist/physician requires other information: attack symptoms, breathing problems (shortness of breath), and asthma triggers. Even if the physician is not exactly sure of the diagnosis, there will still be treatments and drugs (or alternative medicines and medications) which can be offered in the short term to assist your breathing and to keep your body normal and more comfortable, even at night.

Privacy testing for any chronic allergy is available. There are lung and chest tests, lung function tests, as well as oxide tests for asthma. Doctors usually order pulmonary function testing (PFTs for short) for people who have persistent or severe asthma. PFTs, such as spirometry and others, will measure different aspects of how the lungs are functioning, give the doctor a clear sense of the severity of the asthma and tell how well asthma treatment is working for the patient. In the medical field, exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) can be measured in a person taking a breath test for asthma or any other conditions characterized by airway inflammation.

Asthma and the Peak Flow Meter

A peak flow meter (PFM) is a simple and inexpensive, portable, handheld device for those persons (and children) with asthma that is used to measure how well air moves out of your lungs. Measuring your peak flow using this meter is an important requirement and part of managing your asthma symptoms and preventing an asthma attack. So peak flow meter readings are an important step.

This is how a peak flow meter works. It measures how fast air comes out of the lungs when you exhale forcefully after inhaling fully. This measure is called a "peak expiratory flow," or "PEF." Being able to keep track of your PEF, is one way you can know if your symptoms of asthma are in control or worsening.

Why Use a Peak Flow Meter?

The peak flow meter can also be used to help you:

To learn what triggers your asthma

To decide if your asthma action plan is working

To decide when to add or adjust asthma medications

To know when to seek emergency care

A written asthma action plan (which varies from person to person) that is developed and customized for people who have asthma (including, of course, asthma in young children) is most helpful in controlling and treating an asthma attack. You will have questions and the doctor with his medical education background, research, and expertise will have helpful answers and better-informed treatment decisions. In addition to this, your chances of one day being free of the disease are greatly enhanced by an early asthma diagnosis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Articles

• Asthma
• Asthma Inhaler
• Asthma Diet
• Asthma Attack
• Adult Onset Asthma
• Asthma Education
• Asthma Research
• Treatment Of Asthma
• Asthma In Infants
• Children With Asthma
• History Of Asthma
• Allergy Asthma
• Asthma Action Plan
• Asthma Diagnosis
• Asthma Facts
• Childhood Asthma
• Exercise Induced Asthma
• Asthma Symptoms
• Cause Of Asthma
• Asthma Doctor



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