Diagnosis and Assessment

Asthma is diagnosed based on a history of symptoms and a physical examination. Many of the factors used to diagnose asthma and assess the severity of the condition are used to monitor how well asthma is controlled after a treatment plan is put in place. Factors used to diagnose asthma, assess the severity and monitor asthma control include:

• present symptoms and history of past symptoms
• number of nighttime awakenings
• number of days of school/work missed
• quality of life- ability to participate in regular activities and exercise tolerance
• number of asthma attacks
• number of visits to emergency department, urgent medical visits or hospitalizations
• lung function/degree of continuous obstruction to air flow
• number of times rescue medication is required
• number of times oral corticosteroids are required to get condition under control
• adverse effects of medications

Tests that may be performed to help with diagnosis and assessment of severity of the disease include:

• spirometry (measurement of the amount of air that can be inhaled and exhaled)
• blood oxygen levels
• chest x-ray
• blood counts
• lab test on sputum (mucous)
• CT scan of the lungs

Some of these tests may be performed to help the doctor rule out other conditions including:

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• airway tumors or obstruction
• bronchitis
• infection (pneumonia or lower respiratory tract infection)
• blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism)
• congestive heart failure
• vocal cord dysfunction
• acid reflux disease