Asthma Testing 101: What to Expect During Your Visit
Asthma tests are nothing to fear! Whether you’ve been dealing with persistent coughing, shortness of breath or unexplained wheezing, asthma testing is a crucial step in getting the right diagnosis and treatment. If you or a loved one are preparing for an asthma test, knowing what to expect can help ease anxiety around the experience.
How to Prepare for Your Asthma Test
Before your visit, your allergist may ask you to stop taking certain medications. These can affect the test results, especially medications like antihistamines or bronchodilators. Be sure to discuss your current medications with your doctor to know which ones to pause and for how long.
Avoid heavy exercise or smoking before the test, as these can influence the results. Wear comfortable clothing, as some tests might involve physical activity like walking or cycling.
What to Expect During Your Asthma Test
During your visit, you’ll undergo several exams to assess your lung function and identify potential asthma triggers.
- Initial Consultation
Your visit will start with a detailed discussion about your medical history and symptoms. This conversation is crucial as it guides the specific tests your allergy and asthma specialist will recommend.
- Spirometry Test
The most common test for asthma is spirometry. This test measures how much air you can exhale after a deep breath and how quickly you can empty your lungs. You’ll be asked to breathe into a mouthpiece connected to a spirometer, which records the airflow.
- Methacholine Challenge Test
If your spirometry test results are normal but asthma is still suspected, a Methacholine challenge test might be conducted. During this test, you’ll inhale increasing amounts of a substance that can cause airway narrowing.
- FeNO Test
A fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) test measures the level of nitric oxide in your breath, which can be a sign of inflammation in your airways. It involves breathing into a tube that’s connected to a FeNO-measuring device.
- Allergy Testing
Since allergies can trigger asthma, your allergist might also perform allergy tests. Skin prick tests or blood tests can help identify specific allergens like pollen, pet dander or dust mites that might be contributing to your asthma symptoms.
With the tests completed, it’s important to understand what your results indicate and how they influence your treatment plan.
Receiving Your Asthma Test Results
Once the testing is complete, your allergist will explain the results and what they mean for your asthma management. If a diagnosis is confirmed, you’ll discuss treatment options tailored to your specific condition.
This might include medications like inhalers, lifestyle changes and strategies to avoid known triggers. Your allergist will help you develop an Asthma Action Plan to make this process simple and safe.
Schedule your asthma test, and find relief!
Live the life you deserve with your asthma under control. At Family Allergy & Asthma, our trusted allergy and asthma specialists are ready to guide patients toward relief. With locations across the nation, support is always close to home. Contact us today to schedule your next allergy or asthma appointment.
About Family Allergy & Asthma
Founded in 1979, Family Allergy & Asthma’s practice network of allergy and asthma specialists provides high-quality, reliable and lasting allergy relief throughout Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, and includes affiliates Allergy & Asthma Specialists (AAS), Asthma and Allergy Associates of Florida (AAAF) and Arkansas Allergy and Asthma Clinic (AAAC). For more information, visit www.familyallergy.com, and follow Family Allergy & Asthma on Facebook, Instagram and X.
