Asthma

Asthma Testing

Asthma is sometimes hard to diagnose because it can resemble other respiratory problems like emphysema, bronchitis and lower respiratory infections. For that reason, asthma is under diagnosed; that is, many people with the disease do not know they have it and therefore are never treated. Sometimes the only symptom is a chronic cough, especially at night. Or, coughing or wheezing may occur only with exercise. Some people mistakenly think they are having recurrent bronchitis, since respiratory infections usually settle in the chest in a person predisposed to asthma.

To properly diagnosis asthma and to distinguish it from other lung disorders, a thorough health history review, a physical examination and certain laboratory tests with your physician or healthcare professional is a great first step. The tests that may help your doctor determine if you have asthma include the following:

Pulmonary Function Tests

Pulmonary function tests, such as spirometry and peak flow monitoring, measure lung function.

Spirometry

Spirometry measures the narrowing of your bronchial tubes by using an instrument to check how much air you can exhale after a deep breath, and how fast you can breathe out.

Peak flow monitoring

A peak flow meter is a simple, portable device that can even be used at home to help detect subtle changes in your breathing before you notice symptoms. The meter measures your ability to push air out of your lungs. If the readings are lower than usual, it is a sign your asthma may be about to flare up. Your doctor will give you instructions on how to track and deal with low readings.

Chest X-Rays

Although a chest x-ray is not routinely required to test for asthma, it may be required if your doctor suspects a complicating pulmonary process, such as pneumonia, or to rule out the possibility of cough, dyspnea (shortness of breath), or wheezing.

Blood and Allergy Testing

While blood tests give a picture of your overall health, allergy testing may be recommended to identify any allergies that trigger asthma symptoms. Specific tests can measure levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), a key antibody that’s released during an allergic reaction. While everyone’s body produces IgE, people who have allergies make larger quantities of this protective protein.

Evaluation for Heartburn and GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may worsen asthma symptoms. Thus, your physician may call for specific testing to diagnose GERD.

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