How Is Asthma Diagnosed?
To diagnose asthma, a doctor will do a physical exam and ask about the person's
medical history, including whether anyone else in the family has asthma.
The doctor might do tests like spirometry
(pronounced: spye-RAH-muh-tree) or peak flow meter tests.
These involve blowing into devices that can measure how well the lungs are working.
Allergy tests or exercise
tests can tell doctors if asthma is brought on by allergens or physical activity.
Doctors may use X-rays to rule out other problems.
How Is Asthma Treated?
There's no cure for asthma, but it can be managed to prevent flare-ups. Asthma
treatment involves two important components: avoiding triggers and
taking medicine.
Avoiding Triggers
People with asthma need to avoid the things that might cause flare-ups. Of course,
some triggers can't be completely avoided (like catching a cold). But exposure to
other triggers, such as pet dander,
can be controlled.
Keep your environment clear of potential allergens, like dust or secondhand
smoke. Don't smoke (or quit if you do). Pay attention
to the weather and stay indoors or limit your exercise to indoor activities when you
know weather or air pollution may affect you.
Doctors help people with exercise-induced asthma manage physical activity, not
avoid it. Exercise can help people stay healthier overall. Doctors can help people
find treatments that allow them to them participate in their sports
— in fact, many professional athletes have asthma.
Taking Medicine
Most asthma medicines
are breathed directly into the lungs (inhaled), but some are pills or liquids. There
two types of medicines are:
- Quick-relief medicines, which act fast. They
can be used as needed during a flare-up. Quick-relief medicines act fast, but their
effect doesn't last long. These kinds of medicines are also called "fast-acting"
or "rescue" medicines.
- Long-term control medicines, which manage asthma and
prevent symptoms from happening in the first place. Many people need to take
daily medicines to manage asthma. These medicines help prevent flare-ups before they
start. They work differently from quick-relief medicines because they treat the problem
of airway inflammation instead of the symptoms (coughing, wheezing, etc.) that it
causes. These medicines are also called "controller" or "maintenance"
medicines.
Long-term control medicines can take days or even weeks to
start working. Their regular use should lessen the need for quick-relief medicines,
but they need to be taken every day or they can't do their job.
Some people with asthma only need quick-relief medicine; others need both kinds
of medicine to keep their asthma in check.
Asthma care can seem overwhelming, especially at first. That's why people with
asthma need to work closely with a doctor to create an asthma
action plan that's right for them. The written plan will say when to take medicines,
what triggers to avoid, when to go to the ER, and more. Refer to your plan often.
What Else Should I Know?
The best way to manage asthma is to prevent flare-ups. Do that by following your
asthma action plan and avoiding triggers, taking any medicines your doctor prescribes
as directed, and getting a flu
shot each year.
Your doctor also may ask you to keep track of your asthma symptoms in an asthma
diary. This can help the doctor track how you feel after taking medicines. Your
doctor might also ask you to use a peak flow meter as a way
to monitor your asthma.
Caring for asthma takes a bit of work. But if you follow your asthma action plan,
take your medicines properly, recognize your symptoms and triggers, and check in with
your doctor regularly, you can do anything that people without asthma do.
Date reviewed: February 2019