Asthma is
diagnosed through lung (pulmonary) function tests to determine how much air
moves in and out as an individual breathe. These tests according to Miller and
Ho (2008) may include:
diagnosed through lung (pulmonary) function tests to determine how much air
moves in and out as an individual breathe. These tests according to Miller and
Ho (2008) may include:
·
Spirometry:
This test estimates the narrowing of an individual
bronchial tube by checking how much air the individual can exhale after a deep
breath and how fast he or she can breathe out.
Spirometry:
This test estimates the narrowing of an individual
bronchial tube by checking how much air the individual can exhale after a deep
breath and how fast he or she can breathe out.
·
Peak
Flow: A peak flow meter is
a simple device that measures how hard an individual can breathe out. Lower
than usual peak flow readings are a sign that the lungs may not be working as
well and that asthma may be getting worse.
Peak
Flow: A peak flow meter is
a simple device that measures how hard an individual can breathe out. Lower
than usual peak flow readings are a sign that the lungs may not be working as
well and that asthma may be getting worse.
Other
tests to diagnose asthmas stated by Jindal (2011) include:
tests to diagnose asthmas stated by Jindal (2011) include:
·
Methacholine
Challenge: Methacholine is a
known asthma trigger that, when inhaled, will cause mild constriction of an
individual’s airways. If an individual reacts to the methacholine, he or she is
likely to have asthma. This test may be used even if initial lung function test
is normal.
Methacholine
Challenge: Methacholine is a
known asthma trigger that, when inhaled, will cause mild constriction of an
individual’s airways. If an individual reacts to the methacholine, he or she is
likely to have asthma. This test may be used even if initial lung function test
is normal.
·
Nitric
Oxide Test; This
test, though not widely available, measures the amount of the gas, nitric oxide
that an individual have in his or her breath. When an individual airways are
inflamed — a sign of asthma — he or she may have higher than normal nitric
oxide levels.
Nitric
Oxide Test; This
test, though not widely available, measures the amount of the gas, nitric oxide
that an individual have in his or her breath. When an individual airways are
inflamed — a sign of asthma — he or she may have higher than normal nitric
oxide levels.
·
Imaging
Tests: A chest X-ray and
high-resolution computerized tomography (CT) scan of the lungs and nose
cavities (sinuses) can identify any structural abnormalities or diseases (such
as infection) that can cause or aggravate breathing problems.
Imaging
Tests: A chest X-ray and
high-resolution computerized tomography (CT) scan of the lungs and nose
cavities (sinuses) can identify any structural abnormalities or diseases (such
as infection) that can cause or aggravate breathing problems.
·
Allergy
Testing: This can be
performed by a skin test or blood test. Allergy tests can identify allergy to
pets, dust, mold and pollen. If important allergy triggers are identified, this
can lead to a recommendation for allergen immunotherapy.
Allergy
Testing: This can be
performed by a skin test or blood test. Allergy tests can identify allergy to
pets, dust, mold and pollen. If important allergy triggers are identified, this
can lead to a recommendation for allergen immunotherapy.
·
Sputum
Eosinophils: This
test looks for certain white blood cells (eosinophils) in the mixture of saliva
and mucus (sputum) discharge during coughing. Eosinophils are present when
symptoms develop and become visible when stained with a rose-colored dye
(eosin).
Sputum
Eosinophils: This
test looks for certain white blood cells (eosinophils) in the mixture of saliva
and mucus (sputum) discharge during coughing. Eosinophils are present when
symptoms develop and become visible when stained with a rose-colored dye
(eosin).