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Asthma (Breathing Problems) Test
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Absolute Eosinophil Count (AEC)
Test Code: BHA001
Pre Test Information:
Age and Gender requiredReport Delivery:
Daily
175 -
CBC (COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT)
Test Code: BHC069
Pre Test Information:
Age and Gender requiredReport Delivery:
Daily 210
Overview
Asthma (Breathing Problems) is a chronic condition in which the airways narrow and swell and produces extra mucus
Characterized by episodic reversible airway obstruction, increased bronchial reactivity, and airway inflammation
Condition results from a complex interaction amongst inflammatory cells, airway epithelium, smooth muscles and nervous system
It is not fixed at which age it starts, the symptoms can be seen at any stage of life, but mostly starts in childhood
In many cases, adult onset asthma is triggered by allergies, which is difficult to find the actual cause of disease
Around 15 - 20 million people have asthma in India and prevalence is high at 10 - 15% in 5 to 11 year old children
- Intermittent Asthma — symptoms appear for less than twice a week and occurs less than two nights a month
- Mild Persistent Asthma — symptoms appear for two or more days a week and occurs three to four nights a month
- Moderate Persistent Asthma — symptoms appear for at least every day and occurs one or more nights a week
- Severe Persistent Asthma — symptoms appear during the day and occurs every night due to asthma
It is said that everything under the sun, including the sun itself can result in an allergy and trigger an asthma attack. However, some of the common and known triggers of asthma include the following:
- Smoke, passive smoking
- Mold and mildew
- Feather bedding
- Dust mites
- Cockroaches
- Animal dander or saliva
- Respiratory infections or colds
- Cold temperatures
- Dry air
- Emotional stress or excitement
- Exercise
An attack of asthma includes some of the following symptoms, in varying intensity:
- Difficulty in breathing (with a wheezing sound)
- Coughing
- Dust mites
- Congestion
- Chest pain
- Increased mucus secretion in the airways
- Pressure in the chest
- Shortness of breath after physical activity
- Difficulty sleeping
- Delayed recovery from a respiratory infection, such as a flu or cold
- Signs and symptoms that interfere with sleep, work or recreational activities
- Sick days from work or school during asthmatic attack
- Emergency room visits and hospitalizations during severe asthma attacks
- Follow your asthmatic action plan
- Get vaccinated for pneumonia and influenza
- Identify and avoid asthma triggers
- Monitor your breathing
- Pay heed to increasing quick relief inhaler use
Physical examination
- Physical examination of ears, eyes, nose, throat, skin, chest and lungs
- A lung function test to detect how well you exhale air from your lungs
- X-ray of lungs or sinuses
- Vaginal moisturizers
Lung function tests
- To confirm asthma, doctor advice to take one or more breathing tests known as lung function tests. These tests measure breathing pattern:
- Spirometry
- Peak airflow
- FeNO tests (exhaled nitric oxide)
- Provocation tests