Do I have asthma?
Among other things, asthma causes symptoms such as breathing problems or prolonged cough that won’t go away. It can be tricky to know if asthma is behind it, or if there are other causes for the symptoms. It’s common to think that shortness of breath from exertion may be due to poor fitness or that cough from a cold will pass by soon anyway.
I only have occasional issues, can it still be asthma?
Asthma means that you have sensitive airways and that it is easier for inflammation to flare up than in those who do not have asthma. This means that at times you can be completely freed of symptoms, but as soon as an inflammation starts, you quickly get symptoms that can be long-lasting. For example, if you often ge a cough after a cold lasting more than 4 weeks, you should be investigated for asthma.
I have an asthma diagnosis... right?
There are many people experiencing asthma symptoms who have sought help and either have not received a complete asthma diagnosis, or have received an asthma diagnosis without knowing if it was really valid.
It is becoming increasingly common for a person suspected to have asthma to be prescribed asthma medications by a healthcare professional to determine for themselves whether this helps. Without investigating whether it is actually asthma or something else.
This is not the right way to do it, as health care providers should determine that it really is asthma beforehand. If asthma medications are prescribed, health care providers must also assess the efficacy of the medication.
How should an asthma examination be carried out?
To confirm an asthma diagnosis, it is important to carefully monitor the symptoms and verify the variability of lung function. An asthma examination involves performing a spirometry test. A spirometry is when you take a deep breath and blow out all the air you have in your lungs explosively to see if you have a possible impairment in lung function.
To be evaluated, you must first do a spirometry test without medication, and then with medications. Based on this, you can compare lung function and see how the inhaler affects the measured values. Studies show that fewer than 20% of asthmatics have this clear variation and therefore a 2-week lung function diary is also required to establish an asthma diagnosis.
What happens if I don't take medicine even though I have asthma?
The reason why it is important to investigate asthma if you suspect it is to get the right treatment so that you feel better and to avoid asthma attacks. The purpose of asthma treatment is that you can perform better in, for example, exercise, but above all to be able to take medicine preventively so that you do not have to be limited by your asthma in everyday life.
Those who have untreated asthma have greater sick leave. In addition, it is directly harmful to go for a long period with untreated asthma as it causes the airways to be easily inflamed and constricted, which in turn can cause more problems in the long run.
Schedule an asthma evaluation
If you experience breathing problems, wheezing, chest pain or coughing that is frequent, it should be investigated. In allergic asthma, you often react when you are exposed to something you are allergic to, such as pollen or animals. A non-allergic asthma may have other triggers such as physical activity or cold air. Either way, it's important to do a proper examination to know if you need medication.
To be evaluated, you must first do a spirometry test without medication, and then with medications. Based on this, you can compare lung function and see how the inhaler affects the measured values. Studies show that fewer than 20% of asthmatics have this clear variation and therefore a 2-week lung function diary is also required to establish an asthma diagnosis.
What happens if I don't take medicine even though I have asthma?
The reason why it is important to investigate asthma if you suspect it is to get the right treatment so that you feel better and to avoid asthma attacks. The purpose of asthma treatment is that you can perform better in, for example, exercise, but above all to be able to take medicine preventively so that you do not have to be limited by your asthma in everyday life.
Those who have untreated asthma have greater sick leave. In addition, it is directly harmful to go for a long period with untreated asthma as it causes the airways to be easily inflamed and constricted, which in turn can cause more problems in the long run.
Schedule an asthma evaluation
If you experience breathing problems, wheezing, chest pain or coughing that is frequent, it should be investigated. In allergic asthma, you often react when you are exposed to something you are allergic to, such as pollen or animals. A non-allergic asthma may have other triggers such as physical activity or cold air. Either way, it's important to do a proper examination to know if you need medication. 
