Asthma Support Group
Asthma is a disease of the human respiratory system where the airways narrow, often in response to a "trigger" such as exposure to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which respond to bronchodilators.
How accurate is this test in diagnosing asthma? I took this test after being referred to a Pulmonary
Doctor. I had a spirometry test that was inconclusive. The doctor still suspected asthma and had me take the challenge test which indicated that my air flow dropped 25% and that it was completely reversible with the inhaled medicine. What gives me problems with this is I do not wheeze that I\'m aware of. During an episode
I cough severely but no wheezing. Nonetheless I was diagnosed with asthma. Can you have asthma without wheezing?
Doctor. I had a spirometry test that was inconclusive. The doctor still suspected asthma and had me take the challenge test which indicated that my air flow dropped 25% and that it was completely reversible with the inhaled medicine. What gives me problems with this is I do not wheeze that I\'m aware of. During an episode
I cough severely but no wheezing. Nonetheless I was diagnosed with asthma. Can you have asthma without wheezing?
This is the best test for statistically distinguishing asthmatics from non-asthmatics. However it is possible to have false negatives, and false positives on this test. Asthma can also be temporary, due to an exposure to noxious stimuli (smoke inhalation, etc.).
As for my own experience, it is possible to have mild asthma without a wheeze, only severe coughing. That\'s how I started. You could eventually develop a wheeze as the disease progresses.
I would take the diagnosis seriously and take whatever medications you are prescribed faithfully.