Asthma
How is the disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis of asthma begins with a medical history and physical
exam. Pulmonary function tests are simple breathing tests
that are often used to measure breathing limitations.
Sometimes
chest X-rays can show air trapped in the lungs.
Sometimes a person has symptoms of asthma, but shows
normal results on pulmonary function tests. In this case, the healthcare
provider may order a bronchoprovocation test. This type of test increases the
demand on the lungs and may provoke symptoms of asthma. A medicine such as
methacholine may be given to the individual to provoke symptoms. Alternately,
the person may be asked to walk on a treadmill or do some other form of
exercise. When the lungs are working their hardest, pulmonary function tests may then be able to detect
airway problems.
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