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4 Responses to “Is it possible to have asthma diagnosed even when you’re not in the midst of having bad breathing difficulty?”
One thing that makes asthma different from other respiratory diseases is that it is episodic. This means it can come and go. Between asthma attacks, its hard to diagnosis it. That’s why many doctors will have a methacholine challenge test done. This will spark an asthma attack in a lab. The PFT tech will then revers it with a bronchodilator. If you have asthma, most likely you will have an attack started with methacholine and then reversed. That’s just how it works.
Good luck. for more information on asthma check out this website
pft’s show what is going on in the respiratory system. Asthma is not only present when you are in a flare, the inflammation is there all the time, its just silent (think of it like high blood pressure and strokes). If you have asthma the pft’s will show constriction in the bronchi, even when you are not in a flare. Most RT’s will also give a treatment with a bronchodialator, a change of more then 12% means asthma.
Ask your doctor to schedule ptt’s for you with the Respiratory Tech.
Yes, it is definitely possible to be diagnosed with asthma despite lack of symptoms. Most physicians will generally begin with a pulmonary function test (PFT). A PFT consists of several breathing maneuvers through a mouthpiece, generally while seated in an enclosed booth. Albuterol is often given to assess the ability of the airways to dilate (bronchodilation). If your PFT appears obstructive and has a positive bronchodilator response, you may have asthma.
However, it is possible to have a “false negative” PFT, especially if you’re feeling well during the time of the test. In that case, your doctor may request a bronchoprovocation test, where you breathe increasing amounts of an irritant to see if it will cause your airways to constrict.
While molds can trigger asthma symptoms, other common triggers can include pet dander (especially cats), dust mites, pollen, smoking, and cold air. You might be able to reduce your symptoms by removing possible triggers from your home.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Kevin Lafave
Diagnosing asthma can be a long process. It involves alot of mini tests.
You will be fine.
Hang in there!
January 23rd, 2009 at 8:02 am
Ernest Shealy
One thing that makes asthma different from other respiratory diseases is that it is episodic. This means it can come and go. Between asthma attacks, its hard to diagnosis it. That’s why many doctors will have a methacholine challenge test done. This will spark an asthma attack in a lab. The PFT tech will then revers it with a bronchodilator. If you have asthma, most likely you will have an attack started with methacholine and then reversed. That’s just how it works.
Good luck. for more information on asthma check out this website
January 26th, 2009 at 3:23 am
Shelly Mackinnon
pft’s show what is going on in the respiratory system. Asthma is not only present when you are in a flare, the inflammation is there all the time, its just silent (think of it like high blood pressure and strokes). If you have asthma the pft’s will show constriction in the bronchi, even when you are not in a flare. Most RT’s will also give a treatment with a bronchodialator, a change of more then 12% means asthma.
Ask your doctor to schedule ptt’s for you with the Respiratory Tech.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Aaron Winn
Yes, it is definitely possible to be diagnosed with asthma despite lack of symptoms. Most physicians will generally begin with a pulmonary function test (PFT). A PFT consists of several breathing maneuvers through a mouthpiece, generally while seated in an enclosed booth. Albuterol is often given to assess the ability of the airways to dilate (bronchodilation). If your PFT appears obstructive and has a positive bronchodilator response, you may have asthma.
However, it is possible to have a “false negative” PFT, especially if you’re feeling well during the time of the test. In that case, your doctor may request a bronchoprovocation test, where you breathe increasing amounts of an irritant to see if it will cause your airways to constrict.
While molds can trigger asthma symptoms, other common triggers can include pet dander (especially cats), dust mites, pollen, smoking, and cold air. You might be able to reduce your symptoms by removing possible triggers from your home.