Asthma Research Paper

Words: 1093
Pages: 5

Asthma is a disease that affects the respiratory system; it is marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing. The diagnostic testing of asthma involves several options like checking medical history. A patient with recurrent cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness can be suspected of Asthma. Symptoms that are variable occur upon exposure to allergens or irritants, worsen at night and also respond to appropriate asthma therapy are suggestive of Asthma. Thus, a positive family history of asthma or other atopic disease with an atopic disorder, mostly allergic rhinitis can be helpful in identity patient with asthma. During the history, Providers can examine for possible triggers of asthma symptoms such as dust mites, cockroaches, …show more content…
A common abnormal physical finding is wheezing on auscultation, which confirms airflow limitation. The upper respiratory tract and skin should also be examined for atopic conditions such as rhinitis or dermatitis. Lungs function test is another diagnostic tool that access the function of the lungs, the two most common lung function tests used to diagnose asthma are spirometer and methacholine challenge test. Spirometer is simply a breathing test that measures how much and how fast you can blow air out of your lungs. According to Kaplan AG, “Spirometer measures the forced vital capacity (FVC, the maximum volume of the air that can be exhaled) and the force expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)” (CMAJ 2009). Thus, from a personal experience, a diagnosis of asthma is confirmed when there is an improvement in the forced expiratory volume 1 of at least 12% and at least 150 ml 20 minutes of administration of an inhaled rapid-acting bronchodilator. In a general population standard, the ratio is usually greater 0.8, therefore anything less will be considered airflow limitation and also support the diagnosis of