Diagnosing Asthma

You’re sneezy. Wheezy. And then it hits. You’re coughing, and you feel like you can’t breathe.
Then, you wonder: Is it just allergies, or is it something more? Sometimes, breathing troubles can be a sign of something temporary like a bacterial or respiratory infection. Other times, it could be asthma.

How do you tell the difference? How do doctors diagnose asthma?
If you’re having breathing troubles, we recommend that you seek medical care to rule out anything serious. Your doctor will ask you if you’ve had any of the following symptoms:
• Hoarseness in your voice
• Rapid, raspy breathing
• Wheezing
• Coughing that sounds like a barking seal
• Chest caving in
• Fever
• Nasal and chest congestion
• Blue skin, lips, or nails

When trying to diagnose asthma, your doctor will also ask about the following:
• Is there a family history of asthma?
• When did your breathing issues start? Did they start suddenly, or did they build up gradually over time?
• Was there something specific that seemed to trigger the attack?
• How is your health now? Do you still have breathing problems, or have they subsided?

To diagnose whether you have asthma, make an appointment with one of our board-certified allergists.
make an appointment! They can determine the cause of your breathing problems and develop a treatment plan that works for you. We have four locations in Cincinnati and one in Richmond, Indiana. We look forward to hearing from you!