- Resources
How Is Asthma Diagnosed?
- Diagnosing Asthma in Children and Adolescents
- Highlights
- Introduction
- Causes
- Risk Factors
- Prognosis
- Symptoms
Diagnosis
Pulmonary Function Tests
If symptoms and a patient's history strongly suggest asthma, the doctor will usually perform tests called pulmonary function tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the disease.
Using a spirometer, an instrument that measures the air taken into and exhaled from the lungs, the doctor will determine several values:
- Vital capacity (VC), the maximum volume of air that can be inhaled or exhaled.
- Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), commonly called the...
More information on "How Is Asthma Diagnosed?"
From Our Experts
How Asthma Is Diagnosed
Asthma is a common chronic health problem in the US and many other countries around the world. It is becoming especially common in... Read more »
5 Next Steps For Adults Newly Diagnosed With Asthma
What used to be considered a childhood disease is no longer as more and more adults are being diagnosed with asthma. Of course, thousands... Read more »
New Technology May Help Diagnose Asthma in the Future
I'm in the middle of my life and I've witnessed firsthand the wonders of technology in our world. Jet travel, CDs, IPODs, personal... Read more »
Aging with Asthma Part II
Seniors with AsthmaYour neighbors may chuckle while saying, “Asthma is a young child’s disease.” That’s a myth that makes millions... Read more »
Dealing with Asthma and Grief
This month is always a tough one for me. It's a tug-of-war between the excitement of a brand new calendar year, brimming over with... Read more »
From Our Sources
Adult Asthmatics Dismissing their Asthma Symptoms: Doubting Th...
Read the full text of The Doubting Thomas Asthmatic and leave a comment! Read all of Rick Frea's Posts Visit Respiratory Therapist Cave, Rick... Read more »
Asthma Diagnoses Among Americans Keep Rising
Officials with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found that the number of Americans who suffer from asthma jumped more... Read more »
The Doubting Thomas Asthmatic: Adults Newly Diagnosed With Ast...
Asthma is often believed to be a children's disease that you either outgrow as an adult or never develop once you're an adult. But that is not the... Read more »
New device analyzes breath to diagnose asthma
Diagnosing asthma can be a difficult and subjective process, but a new device may make it easier. The 'Enose' device sniffs out chemicals in... Read more »
Inner-City Children and Asthma: Asthma Triggers to Avoid
Asthma Fast Facts: Over 9 million U.S. children under 18 years of age (13%) have ever been diagnosed with asthma, and 6.5 million children... Read more »
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
