13. Asthma facts
Asthma can develop at any age but
usually begins during the first few
years of life.
There are three levels of asthma: mild,
moderate and severe, but anyone can
experience a severe attack.
Treatment can vary from person to
person
14.
15. When to seek emergency
medical treatment
Seek medical attention right away if you have signs or
symptoms of a serious asthma attack, which include:
Severe breathlessness or wheezing, especially at night
or in the early morning
The inability to speak more than short phrases due to
shortness of breath
Having to strain your chest muscles to breathe
16. interview
What are your exact symptoms? When do they occur, and does anything specific
seem to trigger them?
Are you often exposed to tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, dust or other airborne
irritants?
Do you have hay fever or another allergic condition?
Do you have any blood relatives with asthma, hay fever, or other allergies?
What health problems do you have?
What medications or herbal supplements do you take? (Many medications can
trigger asthma.)
What is your occupation?
Do you have pet birds or raise pigeons? (In some people, exposure to birds can
cause asthma-like symptoms.
17. Physical exam
Your doctor may:
Examine your nose, throat and upper airways
(upper respiratory tract).
Use a stethoscope to listen to your breathing.
Wheezing — high-pitched whistling sounds when
you breathe out — is one of the main signs of
asthma.
Examine your skin for signs of allergic conditions
such as eczema and hives.
18. Test for asthma(+pic.)
Lung Function Tests
Spirometer is a simple breathing test that measures
how much and how fast you can blow air out of your
lungs. It is often used to determine the amount of
airway obstruction you have.
19. Chest X-Ray
Your doctor may perform an X-ray
exam on you in order to see the
structures inside your chest,
including the heart, lungs, and
bones. By viewing your lungs, your
doctor can see if asthma is likely to
be causing your symptoms
