How to Diagnose Asthma in Adults

how to diagnose asthma

You just took a breath, and I did too. It’s something we are all doing everyday and yet we don’t even give any breath a second thought. It’s just something we do, but if you have asthma you may not have such a casual view of the whole thing. Severe breathing difficulties are part of the ongoing landscape if you have asthma, and being unable to breathe easily is something people who are not asthmatics should be thankful they don’t have to experience. So the question then becomes how to diagnose asthma in adults, but like anything this is something that should only be done by a doctor.

Diagnosing asthma is going to be done by testing, and none of the 5 primary testing means are going to be anything that you could ever do at home. How to diagnose asthma usually involves an allergy blood test along with a peak flow rate and / or spirometry test for asthma. Both of those last 2 tests involve assessing airway obstruction and seeing to what extent the person cannot inhale or exhale like they should be able to. The spirometry test will also measure how fast the person is able to exhale air from their lungs. Asthma is not only about difficulty inhaling, exhaling problems are part of it too.

In some cases a spirometry test will come back with results that say nothing is amiss with inhalation and exhalation rates, but early asthma symptoms are still being experienced. In these instances how to diagnose asthma may involve a methacholine challenge test or sputum eosinophil count. For most people the blood allergy test plus pf rate or spirometry test is enough to come to a definitive diagnosis on whether a person has asthma.

Self-Management Approach

You have what you need to know for how to diagnose asthma in adults, and in all likelihood the only decision you’ll be making is that you need to see a doctor about breathing difficulties. It is possible they may not be stemming for asthma, but if they are then an asthma treatment inhaler like the Advair Diskus is probably going to be part of your future. It is one of the many asthma maintenance inhalers that asthmatics will use ongoingly to reduce the severity of asthma attacks, and to allow people to have fewer asthma attacks overall.

The last thing we’ll mention in connection to how to diagnose asthma is that once you’re in treatment you may also need an asthma rescue inhaler. Especially if you have severe asthma attacks that come on suddenly and unexpectedly. The Ventolin inhaler is the most standard asthma rescue inhalers and if you need one you will be sure that you always have it at the ready in case an asthma attack starts. Another smart choice will be for asthma sufferers to become more knowledgeable about ways to minimize exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.

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