On What Basis Is The Asthma Test Made
The medical history, physical examination, and supporting diagnostic testing form the three vital ingredients in an asthma test. The patient's and associated family medical history update can provide a physician an insight into details of previous asthmatic episodes (if any), and the exact extent of the specific symptoms faced earlier.
Thereafter the physician will ask a number of relevant questions to the patient to find out whether any symptoms characteristic of asthma are present in the patient. This will be followed by a physical examination of the patient.
The exam will attempt to find the characteristic torso signs that are endemic in asthma and it may also help to find out the type of asthma the patient may be suffering from. During the physical exam the physician may discover important information about the extent of the symptoms.
Most symptoms of asthma are common to other illnesses too. Therefore, a diagnosis of asthma cannot be clinched on the basis of symptoms and a physical examination. It is important for certain tests to be conducted so that the asthma can be established firmly. The purpose of tests in asthma diagnosis is to provide proof of reversible bronchial obstruction. The most common tests used to clinch the asthma diagnosis are spirometry and peak expiratory flow rate (PEVR). These tests can be used to diagnose asthma in almost all patients over 5 to 6 years of age. Spirometry: This is in the nature of a function pulmonary test. The level of lung function can be determined through this test. Therefore, it is also known as the lung function test. Important terms used in this test include forced vital capacity (FVC), forced vital capacity in the 1st second (FVC1), and forced expiratory flow 25 to 75% (FEF25-75%). The important thing to note about the spirometry test is that the physician will be able to find out the extent of blockage of the bronchial airways through the statistics revealed by spirometry data. Spirometry is not advisable in case of haemoptysis, respiratory infection at the time of the test, or chest pain that follows as a result of testing. A chest x-ray may help the diagnosis of asthma, especially when the diagnosis has been inconclusive through spirometry. Allergy tests may help to corroborate the diagnosis and help identify the specific triggers that are the cause of asthma. Methacholine challenge test: This is another lung function test that is used more commonly in adults. It is performed when spirometry cannot conclusively establish the diagnosis of asthma. Methacholine is a substance that induces spasms in the bronchial airways (if asthma is present) after it is inhaled. The results of the test are considered positive for asthma if there is a minimum 20% drop in the lung function. The patient is administered a bronchodilator to reverse the induced symptoms. The above steps are used by a physician in asthma diagnosis. Thereafter, medication for treatment of the patient for asthma ensues.
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