In many patients, the diagnosis of asthma is straightforward and based upon intermittent combination of symptoms, most commonly including wheezing and tightness of the chest. In other patients, making the diagnosis can be more difficult, either because the classic symptom of wheezing is missing or patients do no respond to usual treatment (such as albuterol). In these patients, diagnostic testing is important and may include:
·       Spirometry – a computerized breathing test performed by Allergy Medical Clinic which indicates whether your lung capacity and airflow through your lungs is normal. If the initial spirometry is abnormal, your physician will probably administer a bronchodilator drug (albuterol) to you to determine whether you improve after treatment.
·       Nitric oxide test – another computerized test performed at Allergy Medical Clinic which measures actual inflammation in the bronchial tubes and may indicate that asthma is present even when the spirometry (above) is normal.
·       Chest x-ray – may be important in ruling out other conditions, such as chronic pneumonia.
·       Chest computed tomography (CT) – occasionally, an abnormality on the chest x-ray may indicate the need to do a second, more sensitive test. The chest CT is very good at picking up emphysema in the lungs as well as small masses, like tumors.
Based upon a combination of symptoms and spirometry, your physician will assess the severity level of your asthma as follows:
Symptoms and/or albuterol frequency Spirometry (FEV1)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Level
<2 days per week                                >80% of predicted                  Mild intermittent
2-6 days per week                              >80% of predicted                  Mild persistent
Daily                                                   60-80% of predicted               Moderate persistent
Daily with frequent nighttime symptoms        <60% of predicted                  Severe persistent
Dr. Howard Schanker was born in Brooklyn, New York. He attended Medical School at SUNY–Downstate in New York City, receiving his M.D. degree in June of 1977. His fellowship training in Allergy and Clinical Immunology was obtained at UCLA, where he won the Young Investigators Award from the American College of Physicians.
Dr. Jonathan Corren was born and raised in the Los Angeles area. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with honors in Biology and then completed his medical training at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine.
Dr. Rita Kachru was raised in the Chicago area. She graduated from the combined 7 year medical program at the University of Wisconsin–Medical College of Wisconsin. She is board certified in Allergy–Immunology, Pediatrics and Internal Medicine.