How do you get tested for asthma? 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However, getting the right diagnosis and treatment and proactively managing the condition is essential. This article looks at several types of asthma and what causes them, the tests and checks a doctor can do to identify asthma, and the outlook for people living with asthma. What is asthma Share on PinterestJavier Díez/StocksyAsthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, causing shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing. Around 26.5 million people are living with asthma in the United States. There are many different types of asthma, and doctors further classify them into four levels of severity: intermittentmild persistentmoderate persistentsevere persistent Various triggers can cause asthma symptoms to develop. It is important to see a doctor or asthma specialist to determine the triggers and manage the condition more effectively. The American Lung Association (ALA) identifies seven types of asthma:Allergic asthma: Allergens, such as pet dander, pollen, and dust mites, can trigger allergic asthma.Aspirin-induced asthma: Taking aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can cause this type of asthma.Cough-variant asthma: Seasonal changes in the weather, exercise, respiratory infections, medication, allergens, or irritants may cause an asthma cough. However, experts do not fully understand the causes. Exercise-induced asthma: This occurs after breathing in cold, dry air through the mouth during exercise and exposure to more pollutants, allergens, and irritants during physical activity.Nighttime asthma: This may have links to hormonal changes that occur at night and affect the airways, but experts are unsure of the exact causes.Steroid-resistant asthma: This may have links to bacterial and viral respiratory infections and obesity.Occupational asthma: Triggers include exposure to allergens, irritants, and other chemicals in the workplace. Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma, affecting 6 in 10 people living with asthma in the U.S. Learn about the types, causes, and treatments of asthma here. How to get tested People who think they may have asthma should make an appointment to see their doctor. A doctor will take a full medical history and ask about symptoms and triggers, current medications, occupation, and lifestyle. The doctor will want to know if there is any history of asthma or other allergic conditions, such as eczema. Both asthma and eczema can be hereditary. Learn more about eczema, asthma, and allergies here. A doctor may also carry out the following tests if they think a person might have asthma: A physical examination The doctor will listen to the lungs to check for signs of wheezing or whistling. They will also look at the nose and throat to check if an allergy has caused any swelling. They will examine the skin to check for any signs of eczema because these two conditions are closely related. Tests and checks The doctor or specialist may order an X-ray of the lungs and sinuses. They may also order a series of other tests to check lung function. These may include one or more of the following:FeNo test: This involves breathing into a machine to measure the amount of nitric oxide in the breath. High levels of nitric oxide indicate inflammation in the lungs.Spirometry: Breathing into a small machine called a spirometer tells the doctor how well the lungs are working.Peak airflow test: This device measures how well the lungs exhale air and can check for narrowing of the airways.Skin tests and blood tests: These help rule out certain allergies or other conditions and help a doctor or specialist prescribe treatment to get asthma under control. Learn more about diagnostic tests for asthma here. Symptoms Asthma symptoms can vary from mild to moderate to severe. They can also change depending on several factors, such as the weather, exposure to irritants, viral infections, or age. However, the most common symptoms of asthma include:wheezingcoughingchest tightnessbreathlessnesssymptoms that get worse at night or affect sleep Learn about the symptoms of asthma in babies here. Outlook For most people with asthma, symptoms will come and go over their lifetime. However, most people can enjoy physically active and healthy lives with the condition. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) identifies three key factors to living a full life with asthma:seeing a doctor or specialist when requiredhaving a treatment plansticking to the treatment plan The AAFA says that people who proactively manage their asthma can reduce asthma attacks, illness, and ER visits by following their doctor or specialist’s advice. Knowing what triggers can worsen symptoms and reducing those triggers can help to control asthma. People with asthma must protect themselves against viruses that can cause serious complications, such as influenza and pneumonia. People with asthma should get the flu shot every year and ask their doctor if they should have the pneumonia vaccine. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (ACAAI) has a useful questionnaire to download and fill out before an appointment with a doctor or specialist. It helps people with asthma understand how the condition may affect their quality of life. Learn about treatments for asthma here. When to contact a doctor According to the AAFA, 11 people die every day in the U.S. from asthma attacks, but many of these deaths are avoidable with the right treatment. The ALA advises that people with asthma should see their doctor or healthcare professional at least once a year and more often if they are experiencing symptoms. Their advice is to call a doctor right away if a person is:feeling dizzy, faint, or weakhaving trouble with routine activitiescoughing persistentlywheezing when they breathe in and outwheezing after taking medication People should seek emergency medical care at the emergency room or call 911 if:their lips or nails are turning blue (cyanosis)their nostrils flare when they breathe inthe skin between their ribs or at the base of their throat stretches with each breath.they are taking 30 or more breaths each minutethey have difficulty talking or walking at ther usual pace Learn more about whether asthma can be fatal here. Summary Asthma is a chronic condition that requires careful and proactive management. There are several types of asthma, and symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe. People who notice asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath, should see a doctor or specialist. A doctor can perform a physical examination and other tests to look for asthma signs and rule out other conditions. It is possible to live a full and active life with asthma, provided people follow their doctor’s advice and watch out for signs of a medical emergency. Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2022Asthma 9 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Allergens and allergic asthma. (2015).https://www.aafa.org/allergic-asthma/Asthma. (2017).https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng80/evidence/asthma-diagnosis-and-monitoring-of-asthma-in-adults-children-and-young-people-pdf-7079863936Asthma cough. (n.d.).https://acaai.org/asthma/symptoms/asthma-cough/Asthma facts. (n.d.).https://acaai.org/asthma/asthma-101/facts-stats/Asthma facts and figures. (2022).https://www.aafa.org/asthma-facts/How is asthma diagnosed? (2020).https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/diagnosing-treating-asthma/how-is-asthma-diagnosedLiving with asthma. (2015).https://www.aafa.org/managing-life-with-asthma/Wadhwa, R., et al. (2019). Cellular mechanisms underlying steroid-resistant asthmahttps://err.ersjournals.com/content/28/153/190096When to see your doctor. (2020).https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/asthma-symptoms-causes-risk-factors/when-to-see-your-doctorFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI — By Joanne Lewsley on June 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat is occupational asthma?Medically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI Occupational asthma is a type caused by practices or the presence of irritants, fumes, or gasses at work. Learn more here.READ MOREIs there a link between dairy and asthma?Medically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI Researchers have studied a possible link between dairy and asthma but have not found a clear connection. 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