Diagnosis

Researchers have not yet learned why some people develop asthma, but evidence shows that children who have been exposed to tobacco smoke, infections, or allergens may develop asthma. Heredity may also play a part. According to the Centers for Disease Control, if a person has a parent with asthma, he or she is three to six times more likely to develop asthma.

Asthma is also closely linked with allergies, although not everyone who suffers with allergies will get asthma. It is a condition that anyone can develop at any age; however, children under the age of five and adults in their thirties are more likely to develop the disease.

Asthma can often be difficult to diagnose, especially in young children, because they are not able to adequately explain their symptoms.

To diagnose asthma, your doctor will perform a physical examination. This will include listening to your lungs to check for signs of wheezing and other indicators of asthma or allergies. He may ask you a series of questions to learn:

  • how your body reacts to colds and how often you may catch a cold

  • what seems to cause your problems with breathing and what you do to improve your breathing

  • about your home environment, and if you were absent from work or school because of your breathing difficulties

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He will also review your family history to determine if anyone in your family suffers from allergies or asthma.

These questions may lead your doctor to want to perform some tests to be sure that you do have asthma before prescribing any medication.

The tests may include: 

  • Spirometry
    Your doctor will probably perform a spirometry (pronounced spa-ROM-a-tree) test. During spirometry, he will check your lung capacity and the speed with which you can exhale air from your lungs, by asking you to use a spirometer (pronounced spa-ROM-a-ter). During the spirometry, he may also ask you to use an asthma medication during the test to measures its effects.

  • Peak Expiratory Flow Rate Test
    Your doctor may measure your peak expiratory (pronounced EX-pur-a-tory) flow rate using a peak flow meter.  A peak flow meter is a small plastic device that measures the maximum speed at which air can be blown out of the lungs. The doctor will explain how to use a peak flow meter. View peak flow meters available from Respironics.

    If your airways are inflamed, it will be harder for you to expel air from your lungs, and the results from the peak flow will be low. As your lung function improves, the results will be higher. A peak flow meter should also be used at home to monitor and track your own condition and symptoms, and it will help you to better control your asthma and prevent an asthma attack.

  • allergy tests

  • sinus tests

  • a test to see how your breathing is affected by exercise

  • gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) test -- GERD can also impact asthma.

  • chest X-ray or an electrocardiogram to ensure that a foreign object, lung disease, or heart disease are not causing your symptoms

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When your doctor receives the results of your tests, he will classify your asthma according to its severity. There are four levels of classification, and each ranks your asthma when it is not well controlled, and you are experiencing symptoms:

  1. Mild intermittent
    Symptoms are experienced twice a week or less during the day, and twice a month or less at night.

  2. Mild persistent
    Symptoms are experienced more than twice a week during the day, and more than twice a month at night.

  3. Moderate persistent
    Symptoms are experienced every day, and more than once a week at night. At this level, your asthma may cause you to avoid some activities.

  4. Severe persistent
    Symptoms are experienced throughout the day, and you are often bothered by symptoms at night. At this level, your activities are limited because of your asthma.

By classifying your condition, your doctor will know how to best treat your disease.

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