HEALTH INSIGHTS

Your Asthma Evaluation

March 21, 2017

Your Asthma Evaluation

Your health care provider will evaluate you to learn more about your asthma. You'll be asked about your symptoms and triggers. You'll then be examined and checked for other lung problems. Some tests may also be done.

History and physical exam

You may be asked questions such as these about your asthma symptoms:

  • What are your symptoms?

  • What seems to trigger them?

  • Do you have flare-ups? How often?

  • When was your last flare-up? What do you think triggered it? What did you do about it?

You may also be asked about your work, home, and activities. Your health care provider may listen to your breathing and heartbeat. He or she may also check your nose, ears, eyes, and throat for signs of allergies.

Lung function tests

Tests will be done to measure how well your lungs are working. You may be asked to blow into a spirometer. This device measures the amount and speed of the air that you breathe out. Lung function tests can tell your health care provider how open or narrowed your airways are. These tests also can show whether certain medications make your asthma better. And they can show whether your asthma gets worse when you exercise.

Allergy tests

For many people with asthma, substances called allergens can act as triggers. To find out if you have a sensitivity (allergy) to any allergens, skin tests may be done. Sometimes blood tests also are done.

Other tests

You also may be checked for nasal, sinus, or stomach problems. If your health care provider suspects other lung problems, a chest x-ray may be done.

Updated:  

March 21, 2017

Reviewed By:  

Cineas, Sybil MD,Louise AkinLouise Akin RN BSN