Mr. Asthma » Asthma Symptoms » How to diagnose
How to diagnose
Question:
Hi does anybody know if there is a special test for Asthma? I’m feeling short of breath and my sides like my lungs fel achy and have for a few weeks, my Doc Internal medicine listened to my lungs and said they were Happy? Any way is this how they detect Asthma? thanks, Bob
Response:
>Hi does anybody know if there is a special test for Asthma? I’m feeling short >of breath and my sides like my lungs fel achy and have for a few weeks, my Doc >Internal medicine listened to my lungs and said they were Happy? Any way is >this how they detect Asthma?
There are breathing tests (spirometry) that can confirm asthma in many cases. Many general practitioners assume that no wheezing means no asthma, but this isn’t always true. If symptoms are still bothering you, I’d ask for a referral to a specialist (allergist or pulmonologist)–they tend to have a better understanding of that is and isn’t asthma.
Response:
What exactly is a Spirometry? thanks, Bob
Response:
Spirometry is when calibrated flow sensors accurately measure your lung volume and flow rates both for quite and forced expiratory breathing. There are formulas that can used to predict that amount of air you should be able to move in what period of time based on your age, sex, race, height, weight and country and your actual measurements can be compared to these standards. Various graphical representations of the data can also assist the trained person in diagnosing problems. A popular one is the flow-volume loop where you take in a deep breath, force out all air you can force out as quickly as you can and then take in a deep breath again. The instantaneous flow rates can be plotted against volume moved to create a loop and various lung diseases have characteristically shaped loops. This sort of thing is done in hospitals and doctor’s offices if they have the equipment (which can run anywhere from $1,500 to $50,000 depending on capabilities). > What exactly is a Spirometry? > thanks, > Bob
Don Elton Columbia, SC http://www.midcarolina.org
Response:
>What exactly is a Spirometry?
I don’t know the technical definition (maybe someone else does), but I believe it’s the test where you simply blow out into a detector as hard as you can, and your air flow is measured.