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You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Asthma : Symptoms, Diagnosis & Tests

Asthma

Alternate Names : Bronchial asthma, Exercise-induced asthma

Symptoms & Signs
  • Cough with or without sputum (phlegm) production
  • Pulling in of the skin between the ribs when breathing (intercostal retractions)
  • Shortness of breath that gets worse with exercise or activity
  • Wheezing
    • Comes in episodes
    • May be worse at night or in early morning
    • May go away on its own
    • Gets better when using drugs that open the airways (bronchodilators)
    • Gets worse when breathing in cold air
    • Gets worse with exercise
    • Gets worse with heartburn (reflux)
    • Usually begins suddenly

Emergency symptoms:

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

  • Abnormal breathing pattern --breathing out takes more than twice as long as breathing in
  • Breathing temporarily stops
  • Chest pain
  • Nasal flaring
  • Tightness in the chest
Diagnosis & Tests

Allergy testing may be helpful in identifying allergens in people with persistent asthma. Common allergens include pet dander, dust mites, cockroach allergens, molds, and pollens. Common respiratory irritants include tobacco smoke, pollution, and fumes from burning wood or gas.

The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the lungs. Asthma-related sounds may be heard. However, lung sounds are usually normal between asthma episodes.

Tests may include:

  • Arterial blood gas
  • Blood tests to measure eosinophil count (a type of white blood cell) and IgE (a type of immune system protein called an immunoglobulin)
  • Chest x-ray
  • Lung function tests
  • Peak flow measurements

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Definition, Causes & Risk Factors

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Review Date : 5/21/2009
Reviewed By : Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Main Page of Asthma



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