Bronchial asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, asthma is responsible for around 250,000 deaths each year.

Early detection and diagnosis are crucial for effective management and prevention of asthma attacks. In this article, we’ll discuss the five essential tests that can help diagnose and manage bronchial asthma.

1. Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)

Pulmonary function test (PFT) is a simple and non-invasive test that measures how well your lungs are functioning. It measures several parameters, including lung volume, airflow, and capacity.

PFT is usually done using a spirometer, which is a handheld device that you breathe into. The test takes only a few minutes and is often performed in a doctor’s office or clinic.

For asthma patients, PFT is an essential diagnostic tool as it can confirm whether or not the patient has asthma. The test can also help monitor the severity of the disease and track the effectiveness of the treatment plan.

2. Chest X-Ray

A chest x-ray is a diagnostic test that uses radiation to produce images of the chest. It can help detect any abnormalities in the lungs, such as inflammation, scarring, or a collapsed lung.

Chest x-rays are often used to diagnose and monitor respiratory diseases such as bronchial asthma.

However, a chest x-ray alone is not enough to diagnose asthma as the images may not show any visible signs of the disease. The test is usually done in conjunction with other diagnostic tests, such as PFT and blood tests.

3. Blood Tests

Blood tests are an essential diagnostic tool for bronchial asthma. They can help identify any underlying conditions that may be contributing to the disease, such as allergies or infections.

Blood tests can also measure the level of certain substances in the blood, such as IgE, which is often elevated in asthma patients.

Moreover, blood tests can help monitor the effectiveness of the treatment plan by measuring specific markers and substances in the blood over time.

4. Methacholine Challenge Test

The methacholine challenge test is a diagnostic test that measures how sensitive your lungs are to an inhaled substance called methacholine.

The test is done using a spirometer to measure the patient’s lung function before and after inhaling methacholine.

If the patient’s lung function decreases significantly after inhaling methacholine, it indicates that the patient has bronchial asthma.

However, the test can also cause asthma symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing, in those who do not have asthma. Therefore, it should be performed under close supervision by a trained medical professional.

5. Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) Test

The fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) test is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that measures the level of nitric oxide in your breath.

Nitric oxide is a gas produced by the cells lining the airways, and its levels increase when the airways are inflamed.

FeNO test can help diagnose and monitor bronchial asthma as it can indicate the level of inflammation in the airways. A high FeNO level indicates that there is inflammation in the airways, which is a hallmark of bronchial asthma.

It can also help monitor the effectiveness of the treatment plan by measuring the FeNO level over time.

Conclusion

Bronchial asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that requires early and accurate diagnosis for effective management and prevention of asthma attacks.

The five tests discussed in this article can help diagnose and manage bronchial asthma by measuring lung function, detecting any abnormalities in the lungs, identifying underlying conditions, measuring inflammation levels, and monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment plan.