Health encyclopaedia

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Diagnosis of Asthma

There is no single test for asthma. Diagnosis is based on examination and treatment of the person affected. For example, the doctor may listen to the patient’s chest with a stethoscope, to determine how well the airways are working.  Sometimes, when coughing is the main effect, it can be harder to know that a person has asthma, but there are tests that can be done to prove it for example using a spirometer (a tube attached to a computer) or a skin prick test (to check for allergies). Nearly all cases involve some breathing difficulty.

A GP or other healthcare professional, or the person themselves, can use a tube called a peak (expiratory) flow meter, to measure whether patient is having difficulty in getting air through their lungs. The patient blows as hard as possible into this tube, and by looking at the scale, it is possible to work out if the condition is getting worse or whether treatment is working. People with asthma should have one these tubes to monitor their condition. They are suitable for  adults and children over the age of 6 and are available on prescription.

In people who are unable to use a peak expiratory flow meter, such as very young children, the diagnosis of asthma may be made if their symptoms disappear in response to specific asthma treatment.

In children the diagnosis must often be based entirely on symptoms. This can be difficult because symptoms may be very variable, with only occasional coughing or breathing difficulties, and no discernable patterns. If there is a family history of asthma, hay fever or eczema then this may help the GP to diagnose the condition.

There are several other conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hyperventilation syndrome, which have similar symptoms. These may need to be ruled out with tests before asthma can be diagnosed.

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