Bronchial asthma is a dangerous pathology that has a high risk of death with untimely detection and improper treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to diagnose this disease as soon as possible, and for this there are a number of special methods. The very first thing you need to do, having suspected bronchial asthma in yourself, is to see a doctor, and he will do the rest.
The diagnosis of asthma is carried out in several stages. At the very first of them, the doctor examines the patient, carefully listens to his story and compares all the data obtained. In many cases, the symptoms of bronchial asthma are expressed very clearly, so many specialists can already establish a residual diagnosis at this stage. If this is not possible due to various reasons, for example, the doctor doubts, or the patient’s story did not provide enough information, additional tests are prescribed.
Methods for diagnosing asthma
Before making a specific diagnosis and prescribing the correct treatment for bronchial asthma , the doctor must finally make sure that his assumptions are correct. The following methods are provided for this:
- Peak flowmetry. This procedure allows you to measure peak expiratory flow, making asthma easier to detect. Tests are carried out every morning for a certain time, and the obtained indicators are recorded in a special journal. If the deviation from the norm exceeds twenty percent, this is a clear symptom of bronchial asthma;
- Carrying out skin tests to determine the allergen. To establish the irritant that provokes seizures in allergic bronchial asthma, experiments are carried out with each potential allergen;
- Spirometry. This diagnostic method includes the study of standard indicators characterizing the normal functioning of the respiratory system. Only two parameters are measured: forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity of the lungs. The standard ratio of these indicators should not be less than 80%, otherwise this indicates bronchial asthma;
- Physical exercise. During increased activity in a patient with asthma, a decrease in FVC and FEV1 is observed, even if he leads a healthy lifestyle and an appropriate diet occurs .
It is important to identify the disease in time, and then it will be much easier to avoid complications. Go to the doctor for help in a timely manner.
