Diagnosis Diagnosing occupational asthma is similar to diagnosing other types of asthma, but the key difference is determining whether a workplace substance is triggering your symptoms. Your healthcare professional will assess your symptoms, medical history, and workplace exposure to identify the cause. A lung function test is essential to confirm an asthma diagnosis. This test measures how well your lungs …
Diagnosis Diagnosing exercise-induced asthma (also called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction) involves a detailed medical history, physical examination, and lung function tests. These help confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes of breathing difficulty during or after exercise. Test of current lung function Spirometry is usually the first test performed. It measures how well your lungs are working when you’re not exercising. …
Diagnosis Asthma in children can be challenging to diagnose because its symptoms can resemble other conditions. A healthcare professional considers your child’s symptoms, medical history, and may recommend tests to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes. Common diagnostic tests include: Lung function tests: Spirometry measures how much air a child can exhale and how quickly. These tests may …
Diagnosis If your symptoms don’t improve with at-home care, it’s important to see a healthcare professional or seek emergency help. Even if symptoms improve, your provider may want to examine you to ensure your asthma is under control, depending on severity. At a clinic or emergency room, treatment and testing often happen simultaneously. The goal is to improve breathing, assess …
Diagnosis Physical examDuring a physical exam, your healthcare professional will check your lungs, chest, and airways to rule out other conditions such as respiratory infections or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They will also ask about your symptoms, medical history, and any other health issues. Tests to measure lung functionLung function tests help determine how well air moves in and …
Diagnosis Diagnosing aspergillosis, including aspergilloma or invasive aspergillosis, can be challenging because Aspergillus is common in the environment. Its symptoms are similar to other lung conditions, such as tuberculosis, and the fungus can be difficult to distinguish from other molds under a microscope. Healthcare professionals often use a combination of tests to confirm the diagnosis: Imaging tests Chest X-ray or …
Diagnosis Avascular necrosis is diagnosed through a combination of physical examination and imaging tests to pinpoint bone damage. Physical exam: During the exam, a healthcare professional presses around joints to check for tenderness. They may move the joint through different positions to assess range of motion and detect limitations. Imaging tests: X-rays: Can reveal bone changes in later stages, but …
Diagnosis Some atrial septal defects (ASDs) are detected before or shortly after birth, while smaller defects may not be discovered until later in life. During a physical examination, a healthcare professional may hear a heart murmur — a whooshing sound caused by abnormal blood flow — using a stethoscope. Tests to Diagnose Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) EchocardiogramThis is the main …
Diagnosis Ascariasis is diagnosed through a healthcare evaluation to determine if roundworm infection is causing your symptoms. Your healthcare provider will ask about symptoms and may order specific tests. If you have a heavy infection, adult worms may be visible after coughing or vomiting, or occasionally from other body openings like the nostrils. If you see a worm, bring it …
Diagnosis Diagnosing asbestosis can be challenging because its symptoms are similar to other lung and respiratory conditions. Physical examYour healthcare provider will review your medical history, work history, and potential asbestos exposure. During a physical exam, a stethoscope is used to listen to the lungs for crackling sounds during inhalation, which can indicate lung scarring. Imaging testsImaging helps detect changes …