Diagnosing Asthma

If you suspect that you or your child may have asthma, it is important to seek
medical attention so that a proper diagnosis can be made. Your physician will ask
about experienced symptoms and if there seems to be anything that is triggering
them. A medical history will be taken where your doctor may ask about allergies,
family history of asthma or other lung-related illnesses and when the
symptoms were first noticed.
A physical examination and non-invasive lung functioning tests will generally
follow and help to determine diagnosis. Your physician may also examine the skin
and ask if there is a history of hives, eczema or skin-related allergies as there is a
common link between skin reactions and chronic asthma. If a diagnosis
is confirmed, it is important to discuss different treatment options with your
doctor and explore alternatives.