•  ASTHMA DIAGNOSIS
 
What is Asthma
Symptoms
Asthma Attack
Diagnosis
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How Is Asthma Diagnosed? Source NHLB Institute  

Your primary care doctor will diagnose asthma based on your medical history, a physical exam, and results from tests. He or she also will figure out what your level of asthma severity is—that is, whether it's intermittent, mild, moderate, or severe. Your severity level will determine what treatment you will start on.

You may need to see an asthma specialist if:
  • You need special tests to be sure you have asthma
  • You've had a life-threatening asthma attack
  • You need more than one kind of medicine or higher doses of medicine to control your asthma
  • You're thinking about getting allergy treatments

Medical History :

Your doctor may ask about your family history of asthma and allergies. Let your doctor know if your symptoms seem to happen only during certain times of the year or in certain places, or if they get worse at night. Your doctor also may want to know what factors seem to set off your symptoms or worsen them. See Asthma symptoms

Physical Exam :

Your doctor will listen to your breathing and look for signs of asthma or allergies. These signs include wheezing, a runny nose or swollen nasal passages, and allergic skin conditions such as eczema.Keep in mind that you can still have asthma even if you don't have these signs on the day that your doctor examines you.

Diagnostic Tests :

 Lung Function Test: Your doctor will use a test called spirometry (spi-ROM-eh-tre) to check how your lungs are working. This test measures how much air you can breathe in and out. It also measures how fast you can blow air out.
Asthma in Children:      Most children with asthma develop their first symptoms before 5 years of age.
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