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Tests For Asthma
Asthma tends to develop early in life, and should a parent notice the symptoms emerging, the child should be tested for the condition. Asthma attacks can be very serious, and without proper medication, they can even be fatal. If you child exhibits frequent coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath frequently, they should be tested for asthma.
Testing for asthma is not easy, but necessary. There are currently two common tests that are used.
 Spirometry- This test determines the amount of air a person can inhale and exhale, which is normally affected by asthma. It tests both the amount of air, the speed of air flow, and the overall function of the lungs. Using a spirometer, a mouthpiece is place in the child's mouth, and, in some cases, a plastic nose clip is used to prevent air passage through the nasal cavities. The child will then be asked to breath at various rates and levels, which are then measure by the machine. Using these readings, a doctor can determine whether or not the child's lungs are functioning at normal levels, or if a respiratory condition is causing them to under perform.
This test is normally safe, but the differences in breathing levels can trigger an asthma attack.
- Provocation Test- This test is much harsher than the spirometry test, but it can prove inconclusively that as child has the condition. Where spirometry can display if lung conditions do exist, it cannot precisely tell a doctor if a child has asthma. The Provocation Test involves exposing children to agents that cause asthma attacks, and tracking their reaction. There are certain agents in nature that cause all people's airways to close up. People with asthma are just more sensitive to these agents. Doctors will start off with a low level of exposure, then gradually increase it until the person reacts. Once they have reacted, the level that has been given is measured. If this level is low, it is a fairly safe bet that the person has asthma.
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