Asthma Diagnosis - How?

Oldernotwiser

Person_one wrote: »

Treatable, not reversible.

A lot of people live with asthma and barely know they have it, its one of the few lung conditions where exercise really helps, my asthma has always been better when I've been training for runs and swims.

Not every asthmatic has a wheeze, I don't, and there are all sorts of differences between asthmatics.

I'm really interested to know what leads you and your friend to believe she doesn't have asthma, and what do you suspect?

She can have a free flu jab every year now, does that make it any more appealing?

Normal asthma is reversible by medications, just not permanently. That's why it doesn't come under the COPD umbrella. ETA (Reading back, that's probably what you meant as well.)

Nearly all lung conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, (COPD) are helped by exercise, not just asthma.

Person_one

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Normal asthma is reversible by medications, just not permanently. That's why it doesn't come under the COPD umbrella.

Nearly all lung conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, (COPD) are helped by exercise, not just asthma.

I've never met anyone with COPD who was capable of much exercise, walking always seemed like an ordeal, but I'll admit I'm no expert.

Asthma isn't reversible, asthma attacks can be treated and there isn't usually permanent damage, but if you are an asthmatic you always are, even when you aren't having symptoms.

I thought asthma didn't come under COPD as its not of the 'obstructive' variety, its most certainly classed as chronic.

meritaten

Its a common misperception that Asthma is HELPED by exercise! it may be, in cases of mild asthma, and the triggers arent 'fresh air' or 'cold air' or 'damp air'. Asthma is not 'ONE' size fits all! There are many forms of Asthma! some more severe than others. A diagnosis of Asthma is NOT taken lightly. it can take time to determine what form of Asthma it is. some people suffer from night time asthma - others find asthma is triggered by the cold virus, others get severe attacks due to allergies, others dont know why they get attacks. Some people get frequent mild attacks - others get rare attacks but they are life threatening..........Getting the picture? Asthma is NEVER to be taken lightly! even those who always had mild attacks have suddenly found themselves waking up in Intensive Care! Asthma is unpredictable - which makes it dangerous! NEVER underestimate an Asthma attack - if the inhaler doesnt work then its A&E ASAP!

Person_one

Meritaten, I actually have asthma, exercise is good for me except in very cold dry weather. Swimming is especially helpful.

People should not be discouraged from exercise, they need to be careful yes, and to take the time to find out what works and doesn't work for them. Stopping all exercise will cause more problems in the future.

Alias_Omega

Meritaten,

You appear very angry in your posts.


Person_one,

I have removed the posts now, it appears that even MSE cannot agree on something, similar to her doctor. As the thread has drifted off course by a large amount (The original question was about Asthma Testing), we have decided to pull it from the domain.

Searching MSE for Asthma will only bring this thread up I guess, as i looked for another Asthma thread before creating this one.

Any quesions, feel free to PM me and we can discuss it in private, with her consent.

Person_one

MSE can't agree on the exact symptoms and diagnosis of asthma because it varies massively between sufferers, everybody experiences it differently.

You're right that this isn't the place for your friend to get information, she should be referred to a specialist to help her figure out a way to manage her symptoms.

Good luck to her, I hope she's lucky and its only mild.

meritaten

You bet your life I am angry - I am angry that you called a diagnosis of Asthma a 'cheap' option and then said it was a label your sister didnt want. which you have deleted from your post!
Why am I angry? because I think people dismiss Asthma as a mild condition and that its seen as being wrongly used as an excuse by people NOT to exercise, take part in things, or that its 'mothers being overly protective'.
Asthma is a KILLER hun! Its NOT reversible - once an asthmatic, ALWAYS an asthmatic. you take it lightly at your peril!
and until you have been at the bedside of someone in ICU because of Asthma - then you wont understand why I am so bloody angry at people who dismiss Asthma as a 'cheap' diagnosis!

meritaten

As you have deleted so much of your original post - I see no reason to post again. You or your sister are obviously in denial, or so stupid you wont take good advice. Like ask to see an Asthma specialist!

ellay864

I've only just seen this thread so missed a lot of the contentious stuff but have to agree with meritaten about asthma being serious and a very varied condition. My dad died of asthma at the age of 51. His asthma was aggravated by exercise, by being too warm (we all suffered in winter and froze so he didn't collapse!!), by cat fur, by feathers. One of my school friends had asthma and played football and they had 2 dogs at home. Two very different conditions you can't compare but both asthma.
I grew up with it being the norm to wake up in the night hearing him coughing, wheezing and desperately trying to get breath. I saw my dad hosptialised several times with his asthma. I performed CPR on my dad during one of his more serious attacks. I lost him when I was 18. Don't ever say asthma is a mild condition that doesn't need to be taken seriously

Gingernutty

Any diagnosis comes after taking a detailed history, listening to the chest, spirometry, peak flow, peak flow diaries, possible x-rays and trialling treatments.

The possible causes of the constant wheezing, multicoloured phlegm and periods of shortness of breath are narrowed down from there.

COPD is an umbrella term for progressive, lung disorders (emphysema, bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis and so on) which can be treated, but are progressive and will get worse over time. Exercise tolerance will be reduced eventually. Severe cases can end up in wheelchairs.

Asthma (allergic, brittle, severe or mild) need not be progressive, but is still a life-threatening condition which can take the sufferer by surprise with the severity of the attacks or not bother them until exercising in cold weather or they come across an allergic trigger.

COPD AND Asthma can occur in the same patient. I know this - as a clinical coder, I've coded J44.8 many times.

What I don't understand is why asthma is so resented by you and your family. With most (obviously, not all) patients it's well controlled and an eminently treatable condition which, with a little work can impact minimally on everyday life.

Your family member is running over a marathon a week and with the right treatment could well improve on that. Treatment for bronchitis and asthma is not dissimilar - so what's with the attitude?