Have You Been Given a Diagnosis of Asthma?
Mike Herman

Diagnosis is the important first step in taking control of
asthma.

The earlier it is diagnosed the earlier the condition can be
controlled, and the more successful the treatment can be.

Anyone regularly exhibiting any of the symptoms below should see
a doctor or allergist as soon as possible.

Fatigue

Coughing, even when the person does not have a cold

Wheezing

Difficulty breathing

Tightness in the chest

Runny nose

Itchy throat

A doctor will ask you the following questions:

Do you have episodes of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath,
seeming to follow allergies during certain seasons, or weather
changes?

Do you get colds that seem to “go to the chest” or take longer
than a week to get over?

Are there over-the-counter medications that you are taking that
help your symptoms?

Do have parents, siblings, or any other family members that have
asthma or similar allergies?

What is it that seems to trigger or cause these symptoms or make
them worse?

The doctor will then investigate the possible causes through a
number of tests, i.e. listening to your breathing, to diagnose
not only whether the patient has asthma but also its severity.

An instrument called a spirometer will likely be used to check
your airways, by measuring how much air you can exhale after
taking a deep breath.

If the airways are narrowed and inflamed the results will
indicate that, showing that asthma is likely the reason. Your
doctor may give you some medication and then continue the
testing to see if the medication improves your breathing.

Additional test either done by or prescribed by your doctor are:

Allergy testing – what allergens you are allergic to

Sinus disease tests

How exercise affects your lungs

Testing you for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which can
affect asthma

Testing via a peak flow meter

A a chest x-ray may be needed to find out if a foreign object,
or other lung diseases or heart disease could be causing
asthma-like symptoms

Depending on the results of your doctors finding form the tests
and your medical history your doctor is able to determine the
severity of the asthma. The severity of the asthma will tell
your doctor(s) which treatments are best.

The levels of asthma severity are:

Mild Intermittent: Asthma symptoms occurring less than twice
each week during the day, and is less than twice a month at
night.

Mild Persistent Asthma: Asthmatic episodes occurring three or
more times each week, yet not occurring on a daily basis, and
night time attacks are occurring three or more times each month.
Asthma attacks may be interfering with daily activities,
exercise, etc.

Moderate Persistent Asthma: Asthmatic episodes occurring daily,
as well as night-time symptoms more than once a week. Asthma
attacks may be interfering with daily activities, exercise, etc.

Severe Persistent Asthma: Asthmatic episodes throughout the day,
as well as night-time symptoms often. Physical activity is
likely to be limited.

It is important to note that anyone with asthma can have a
severe attack – even those who have intermittent or mild
persistent asthma.

The doctors will instruct you on:

Taking your long-term daily medicines

The triggers that make your asthma conditions worse and how you
could avoid them

What to watch for that indicates that your asthma is starting to
worsen such as the weather conditions, allergens, your peak flow
meter, etc.

How and use your peak flow meter

The medications need to manage your asthma

How often you should be seeing or calling your doctor

Together with a knowledgeable doctor, or even a “team” of
doctors, you’ll be able to successfully manage your asthma.

About the author:


Do you, a spouse or a child, have asthma? Learn more, including
the treatments available at
Asthma-Explained.com

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