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.