Recognizing and Diagnosing Asthma

Recognizing and Diagnosing Asthma

Recognizing Symptoms

• audible wheeze
• shortness of breath
• frequent or persistent coughing, typically worse at night or after exercise
• inappropriate shortness of breath after exertion
• severe symptoms include: severe gasping for air, turning blue in the lips, exhaustion, a silent chest (in which hardly any air is able to enter the lungs). These are signs of impending collapse.

Triggers

• the most common trigger is the flu and other viral upper respiratory tract infections
• house dust mites, animal dander, pollen and mould
• tobacco smoke, chemical fumes and scents
• air pollutants (like smoke)
• cold weather
• drugs, most commonly the NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) group of drugs
• physical exertion
• emotional stress
• contrary to popular belief, food is rarely a trigger, unless tests prove otherwise

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of asthma in early childhood still remains a challenge for doctors, and is largely based on clinical judgment and an assessment of symptoms and physical signs. Occasionally, some tests are performed, such as spirometry and lung function tests, but these are difficult to perform in children younger than 5 years of age.