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How To Diagnose Asthma? Know More!

Asthma causes inflammation of your lungs and bronchial tubes and makes breathing laboured. It can happen to both children and adults. The degree of asthma can range from mild and intermittent to severe and persistent. Asthma may not be curable, but with proper treatment, people can live a normal life. But it all starts with an accurate diagnosis of the type and intensity of your asthma. Asthma diagnosis will involve many steps to ensure it is faultless.

Medical History

When you visit a doctor, you will have to talk about your overall health and noticed any unusual changes lately. Then you will be asked detailed questions so that the doctor can ascertain whether the symptoms you have been experiencing are the ones triggered by asthma or some other but similar illnesses like bronchiolitis. You may also have to answer questions on your medical history, any illnesses you had contracted in the past, and some standard queries about your family’s health history as well. You can expect questions like these-

What exactly are the symptoms, and when do they become profound?
Do you know what triggers the symptoms?
Had you been exposed to allergens or irritants?
Do you have a fever, allergic reaction or infection?
Does anyone in the family have asthma, respiratory problems, or a persistent case of allergies?
What you do for a living, and are you exposed to chemicals, dust, pollutants, etc.?
Do you have pets?
What medicines are you taking?

Then your doctor will ask if you had experienced these particular symptoms-

Coughing – especially at night when you go to bed
Breathing difficulty
A sensation of pressure or tightness in your chest
If the symptoms become aggravated in cold weather or after a sustained period of physical activity

Undiagnosed and untreated asthma may worsen the functioning of the lungs and cause permanent damage, early identification and treatment of asthma with inhaled corticosteroids can decrease airway inflammation and may result in more optimal disease control in the long term.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D

Physical Examination

Once your doctor has asked the relevant questions, the next step is the physical examination.

The doctor will first peer into your eyes, ears, and nose and look into your throat and upper airways with a flashlight. Your skin will be closely examined for signs of an allergic reaction. Then with a stethoscope, your breathing patterns will be noted, whether you make a whistling high-pitched sound as you breathe out, which is an indicator of asthma.

Asthma diagnosis test to determine lung capacity

Once asthma is suspected, your doctor will recommend further tests to confirm the asthma diagnosis. These tests will determine just how efficient your lungs are, and the results will help the doctor understand the degree of your condition.

Spirometry test

This is the standard asthma diagnosis test that doctors use on anyone over the age of 5 years.

The spirometer is a device, which has a tube attached to it. The doctor will hold the other end of the tube to your nose or mouth. You will have to inhale fully. And then expel the breath of air forcefully into the tube. The spirometer will register the volume of the air you exhaled and how rapidly you can exhale. The readings will establish your pulmonary function. If the result is below normal, it could signify that your airways have become narrow because of asthma.

You may then be given asthma medicines in the form of an inhaler to clear up your bronchial tubes, and you will again have to breathe into the spirometer tube. If your reading improves, it will convince the doctor that it is a case of asthma.

Fractioned exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a noninvasive marker of inflammation in asthmatic patients. FeNO can be used to monitor airway inflammation. This is another test in asthma monitoring apart from the ones mentioned in blog.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Tests based on challenges

Since exercise can cause asthma attacks, your doctor may suggest you engage in some physical activity right there in the clinic. If you begin to witness the specific symptoms of asthma, you will be diagnosed with this chronic respiratory disorder.

If the spirometer results are not conclusive, for example, they verge on the threshold level of normal or near-normal, you will have to undergo a bronchial challenge test. You will be asked to inhale methacholine which will make your airways swell up a little. If you then exhibit the signs of asthma, then it will confirm the spirometer test’s conclusion.

Peak airflow asthma diagnosis test

This is another asthma diagnosis test that determines how much air is flowing out of your lungs. This test can also tell your doctor if your airways have become narrow.

Exhaled nitric oxide asthma diagnosis test

This asthma diagnosis test is similar to the spirometer test with the difference that a machine will determine how much nitric oxide your breath contains when you breathe into a tube. We all exhale this gas but when the airways are swollen, your body produces more nitric oxide than usual.

Other tests

Your doctor will recommend a few more tests just to rule out other diseases that trigger similar symptoms-

Blood tests and skin tests to determine if you have specific allergies.
CT (computerized tomography) scans of your lungs for signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
X rays of the sinuses and the chest or cardiac CT scan (to trace sinusitis or myocardial ischemia).
Gastroesophageal reflux test.
Presence of phlegm in your lungs.

If these test results come back negative (meaning you have not contracted these diseases), the conclusion will be asthma.

Asthma Diagnosis for children

The spirometer test is not recommended for children under 5 years of age. Asthma is diagnosed chiefly based on the symptoms, history of illnesses and a physical examination. However, doctors sometimes prescribe bronchodilators- drugs that dilate the airways and make breathing easier. This is an asthma medication, and if it helps, that indicates that the child has asthma.

The diagnosis of asthma is a long and careful procedure. There are quite a few other illnesses that mimic asthma. Remember to answer your doctor’s questions honestly and clearly and undergo the required tests.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

A Complete Guide To Asthma Symptoms And Treatment!

Asthma is a fairly common respiratory problem. It affects close to 235 million people around the world and is responsible for the deaths of 1000 people every day globally. It is more prevalent in children than adults and is the leading chronic ailment amongst children. Asthma affects more boys than girls. Asthma can set in anytime during a person’s life – during childhood or adulthood. But how harmful is asthma? Can it be cured? Even better, can it be prevented in the first place? We have all the answers for you. Read on to learn everything you wanted to know about asthma.

Let’s begin with what asthma is –

Asthma is a chronic disease and it affects the lung’s airways called bronchial tubes. Asthma causes inflammation of the inner walls of the bronchial tubes that are responsible for transferring air to and from your lungs. Naturally, a swelling constricts the airways that make breathing difficult. What makes it chronic is that incidents of respiratory problems keep recurring. This happens because asthma also makes the bronchial tubes vulnerable to allergies and irritations. And when allergens (any foreign particle) enter your airways, the airways swell up again and this triggers shortness of breath or breathlessness. The intensity of asthma differs from one person to another. In some, it is a minor annoyance and in others, asthma can be a crippling and dangerous disorder that disrupts their everyday life.

What are the types of asthma?

There are 6 types of asthma-

Bronchial asthma: The commonest form of asthma, this is the one that is initiated by a narrowing of the bronchial tubes.
Allergic asthma: This kind of asthma results from being exposed to allergens such as air-borne matters like pollens from flowers, mould particles, fur shed by your pets.
Non-allergic asthma: Here the attacks arise from cold air, air pollution, viral fevers, cleaning products, perfumes, etc.
Asthma caused by exercise: Symptoms show up after a period of physical exertion.
Occupational asthma: You may be exposed to substances at your place of work such as chemicals, particles or gases that can trigger an asthma attack.
Nocturnal asthma: This kind of asthma strikes only at nights and prompts insomnia.

Read More About Different Types of Asthma

Childhood Asthma and Adult-Onset Asthma –

Asthma can also be classified according to one’s age – childhood asthma and adult-onset asthma. Both have the same symptoms. But the only difference is, in very young children asthma attacks are not triggered by allergens or foreign particles which is a typical cause of asthma attacks in adults. Their allergic reaction usually is not accompanied by the symptoms of asthma.

Childhood asthma –

Currently, nearly 6.2 million children all around the world suffer from asthma. This chronic disease in children can be either intermittent or regular. Children usually experience an asthma attack after a session at the school playground (exercise-induced bronchospasm) or because of second-hand smoking (a leading trigger of childhood asthma, which continues to damage their growing airways). In children, the possibility of an asthma attack taking on severe proportions is quite high. In fact, more children are admitted to a hospital owing to a serious asthma attack than adults. Two very common asthma causes in children is a family history of asthma, or if your child had a very low birth weight, then there is a likelihood that your child might contract asthma.Childhood asthma is not curable. But, that does not mean that your child will not be able to enjoy a happy natural childhood. Make sure that your child gets the medicines that have been prescribed regularly to minimize the possibility of an asthma attack. But more importantly, make sure that she/he isn’t exposed to second-hand smoking. Teach your child how to use the inhaler and ensure that it’s always present in your child’s school bag.

Adult-onset asthma –

People who were spared the burden of asthma in their childhood may still come down with it at any point in their adult lives. This is adult-onset asthma. In children, the asthma symptoms are usually intermittent, but asthma symptoms in adults are more persistent and daily management of asthma symptoms may be necessary.Women more commonly develop asthma in their 20s than men. Some common asthma causes that may trigger an attack in adults are –

Obesity
Hormonal dysfunction in women
Allergens
Viruses or an infection
Pregnancy
Stress and anxiety
Family history of asthma

Also Read: What is Hyperventilation: Understanding the Medical Definition and Symptoms

What are the symptoms of Asthma?

Asthma symptoms can manifest themselves unpredictably. They can come and go. However, there are some people who experience mild asthma symptoms throughout the year. Without further ado, these are some symptoms that all asthma patients complain of-

Breathlessness or inability to draw in a deep breath
A sensation of tightness in the chest
Bouts of coughing or wheezing
Inability to go to sleep because of shortness of breath
You may notice a whistling sound emanating from your airways when you breathe in
Especially prolonged coughing or wheezing fits when you’ve caught a cold or the flu

Read More About Signs & Symptoms of Asthma

When should you be concerned?

If you have asthma, you always have to be on your guard. But look out for these few signs because they indicate that your asthma is worsening-

Your regular asthma symptoms have become much more frequent or the time interval between two asthma attacks has narrowed
You are having to use your inhaler more often
The inhaler doesn’t seem to be helping

What is an asthma attack?

An asthma attack is also called asthma exacerbation and as the name suggests, this happens when your symptoms reach a peak. The airways muscles contract more than ever and produce a lot more mucus than usual and this causes laboured breathing and uninterrupted coughing. The reason an asthma attack is dangerous is that when the bronchial tubes narrow, not enough oxygen reaches the lungs, which means oxygen-rich blood cannot reach the different organs and tissues of your body. Without oxygen, they will not be able to perform their job.Neither will your lungs be able to expel carbon dioxide- another major function of the lungs. Carbon dioxide is deadly for your body. That is why you should be especially wary of asthma attacks. The duration of an asthma attack can be anything from a few minutes to hours. And the effect can vary from mild to severe.

What should you do when you feel an asthma attack coming on?

First of all, you have to stay absolutely calm. Panicking or hyperventilation will aggravate your asthma attack. If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should always carry an inhaler with you. And when an attack is about to set in, a quick puff should take care of it. Your inhaler contains medicines such as beta 2 agonist or anticholinergic bronchodilators that instantly clear up your airways and let you breathe again by relaxing the tightened muscles. If that does not help, or if your asthma attack is severe, you should seek medical help immediately before the situation aggravates. A severe asthma attack can completely cut off the oxygen supply and this kind of attack kills nearly 250,000 people globally every year.

Can asthma reoccur after childhood?

In many instances, the signs and symptoms of asthma reduce in intensity after puberty. But they may strike again once the person enters his/her twenties. This will be a case of reappearing asthma. If you had been diagnosed with asthma as a child, but it is not affecting you anymore, you should continue to be on your guard and steer clear of common triggers.

Asthma diagnosis –

If you (or your child) have experienced any of the symptoms we mentioned and suspect it to be a case of asthma, then you will have to consult a doctor. An asthma diagnosis is simple. A physical examination during which a physician will listen to the sounds emanated by your lungs and airways with a stethoscope, a few painless breathing tests called lung function tests and detailed scrutiny of your family history will confirm if it is indeed asthma that you have contracted. The tests will also determine the level of your asthma (mild, moderate or severe). Depending on the results, a course of action will be finalized. Read More About Steps and Test For Asthma Diagnosis

Asthma Treatment –

Asthma cannot be cured. But, there is no reason why asthma should mess up your life. And the first thing you have to do to keep it under check is to track your symptoms. This will help you to keep tabs on whether the symptoms are intensifying or maybe hopefully retreating. Your medication will have to be adjusted accordingly.Next up in asthma treatment are the medicines: depending on the level of your asthma severity, you will be prescribed inhalers, nebulizers or corticosteroids. You must never skip a dose as that may bring on an asthma attack.You will also have to do a few breathing exercises such as pursed-lip breathing or belly breathing that will train your lungs to take in more oxygen.

Are there any home remedies for asthma?

There are quite a few home remedies for asthma that will make your asthma medication much more effective and actively ward off attacks. Here are a few reliable household remedies-

Coffee –

Coffee lovers rejoice! Turns out coffee is very effective in curbing asthma attacks.

Mustard oil –

Surveys have proved that rubbing mustard oil onto the chest can reduce the symptoms of asthma.

Essential oils –

Since strong smells can trigger an asthma attack, try oils with mild essence. Inhaling the smell of essential oils extracted from eucalyptus, lavender or basil can help relax the muscles of your airways.Read More About Asthma Treatment

Conclusion –

Asthma need not weigh you down. It is a serious disorder, but one that you can control with a little bit of caution and discipline.Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.