Diagnosis us a tricky ball game and one of Asthma an even more trickier one. But the thing remains one has to make the same and making a correct diagnosis is extremely important. Where one is correctly diagnosed it can be treated appropriately.

Diagnosis can be performed in the following ways:

Detailed History

Remains a crucial input that enables a medical practitioner to make out as its exact cause and likely treatment procedure.

	Detailed study of patient’s  family history of asthma, allergies, hay fever, eczema, children as the same will enable a greater chance of developing the above if there is a family history of allergies and asthma.
	Study of the Child's medical history that patterns on the following methods: 1. The period when parents first noticed the child developed breathing problems, history of nasal stuffiness (rhinitis), itchy eyes (allergic conjunctivitis) and eczema, which are common accompaniments to asthma, and hives (urticaria). 2. History of recurrent and persistent cough following a cold, frequent colds, croup, seasonal changes (i.e. worse in the spring and fall), exercise limited by breathing problems, waking at night with symptoms, school absences & emergency room visits (hospitalizations).
	Physical examination: That points out listening to the lungs with a stethoscope, examination of nasal passages etc.
	Chest x-ray may be done once to exclude the possibility of breathing problems being caused by something other than asthma.
	Conduct of Blood tests and sputum, where the need arises.
	Allergy prick skin testing: Skin tests can confirm the presence or absence of allergies, they must, however, be correlated to the history of symptoms.

Spirometry is a breathing test that measures the amount and rate at which air can pass through airways & where they narrow because of inflammation it will be very difficult for air to pass through the airways. This kind of test is a difficult one as it requires a certain amount of effort and cooperation required. However, this is a very dependable method of making a diagnosis & any difficult or troublesome asthma should be confirmed objectively by performing spirometry.

Spirometry for Below 6 yrs Age Group

At SWASA, we are performing spirometry even for infants, from 6 months to 6 yrs, also which is first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh.

Challenge tests: Well patterned procedures such as Exercise challenge tests and methacholine inhalation tests are performed most frequently in clinical laboratories to evaluate airway responsiveness.

Differential diagnosis: comprises of shortness of breath, wheeze, cough and chest tightness, all of which must be investigated in order to rule out factors such as heart disease, other lung conditions, gastroesophageal reflux.

Trial use of asthma medications: is performed & improvement in symptoms through this step allows one to support the diagnosis of asthma.

Symptoms vary as they become worse and improve over time, as in this case a diagnosis cannot always be made immediately.

Allergen testing: To find out the trigger for Asthma. Ex: Dust Mite, Pollens, Fungus, Insect Droppings Foods.