To confirm whether it is asthma, it is important to consult a pulmonologist or immunoallergologist, to evaluate the symptoms presented, which usually include intense coughing, a feeling of shortness of breath, wheezing and tightness in the chest.
In some cases, just evaluating the symptoms is enough to confirm the diagnosis, especially if there is a family history of asthma or the presence of allergies.
However, the doctor may also recommend tests to confirm asthma and check the severity of the condition, adapting treatment as best as possible.
How to confirm the diagnosis of asthma
The main ways to diagnose asthma are:
1. Medical consultation to evaluate symptoms
The initial diagnosis of asthma is made by a pulmonologist or immunoallergologist, through assessment of symptoms, in addition to assessment of family history and the presence of other allergies.
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Symptoms that can help confirm the diagnosis of asthma are:
- Intense cough;
- Wheezing when breathing;
- Feeling of shortness of breath;
- Feeling of “tightness in the chest”;
- Difficulty filling the lungs with air.
Asthma attacks also tend to be more frequent at night and can cause a person to wake up from sleep. However, they can also happen at any other time of the day, depending on the triggering factor. Check out other symptoms that may indicate asthma.
Some information that can help the doctor reach a diagnosis more quickly includes the duration of the attacks, the frequency, intensity, what they were doing at the time the symptoms appeared, whether there are other people in the family with asthma and whether There is improvement in symptoms after undergoing some type of treatment.
2. Asthma tests
The most recommended test to diagnose asthma is spirometry, which aims to identify the presence of narrowing of the bronchi, which is common in asthma. This exam is done by evaluating the amount of air that can be exhaled after a deep breath and how quickly the air is expelled out. Understand better what spirometry is and how it is done.
After performing spirometry, the doctor may also perform other tests, such as:
- Chest X-ray;
- Bloodtests;
- Computed tomography.
These tests are not always used, as they are mainly used to screen for other lung problems, such as pneumonia or pneumothorax, for example.
Criteria for diagnosing asthma
To diagnose asthma, the doctor generally relies on the following parameters:
- Presentation of one or more asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing for more than 3 months, wheezing when breathing, tightness or pain in the chest, especially at night or in the early hours of the morning;
- Positive exam results to diagnose asthma;
- Improvement in symptoms after using asthma medicine as bronchodilators or anti-inflammatories, for example;
- Presence of 3 or more episodes wheezing when breathing in the last 12 months;
- Family history of asthma;
- Exclusion of other diseases such as sleep apnea, bronchiolitis or heart failure, for example.
After the doctor diagnoses asthma using these parameters, the severity and type of asthma are determined, and thus the most suitable treatment for the person can be indicated. Find out more about asthma.
Online symptom test
To find out your chances of having asthma, please select the symptoms you are experiencing:
The symptom test is only a guidance tool and does not serve as a diagnosis or replace consultation with a pulmonologist, allergist or general practitioner.
How to know if asthma is serious
The severity of asthma can be classified according to the frequency and intensity with which symptoms appear:
Depending on the severity of asthma, the doctor advises treatment, which generally involves the use of asthma medications such as anti-inflammatory medications and bronchodilators. See more details about asthma treatment.
Factors that typically contribute to an asthma attack include respiratory infections, changes in the weather, dust, mold, certain fabrics or the use of medications. Throughout treatment, it is important to avoid the identified factors to prevent the emergence of new crises and even reduce the intensity of symptoms when they arise.
Although some triggering factors can be identified at the time of diagnosis, others can be identified over the years, and it is always important to inform the doctor.
Bibliography
- SILVA, Luiz Carlos et al.. Pulmonology: Principles and Practice. Porto Alegre: Artmed Editora, 2012. 457-467.
- LONGO, Dan L. et al. Harrison Internal Medicine. 18.ed. São Paulo: AMGH Editora, 2013. 2107-2109.
- AAFA. Asthma Diagnosis. Available at: <https://www.aafa.org/physical-exam-diagnose-asthma/>. Accessed on March 27, 2019
- MAYO CLINIC. Asthma: Steps in testing and diagnosis. Disponível em: <https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/in-depth/asthma/art-20045198>. Acesso em 27 mar 2019
