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Asthma can be
highly variable. It can be mild, moderate, or
severe as shown in the table below. Asthma
differs among people and over time. For example
asthma can be moderate in childhood and mild in
adulthood, and it can be severe only during
certain seasons. The severity of asthma can be
determined by assessment of symptoms and
clinical signs. However, relying solely on these
measures can be misleading, and use of PEFR
measurements provides valuable additional
information. Below the age of 5, the assessment
and monitoring of severity with measurements of
lung function, including PEFR, are not feasible.
Lung
functions can be measured with spirometer or peak flow meter.
Asthma therapy follows a stepwise approach in
which the level of therapy is increased as the
severity of asthma increases and therapy is
decreased once control is achieved and
sustained.
A doctor may
ask following questions from the patient or the
parents to establish diagnosis.
Does
the patient have,
- Recurrent
attacks of wheezing?
- Troublesome
cough or wheeze at night or early in the
morning?
- Cough or
wheeze after exercise?
- Cough,
wheeze, or chest tightness after exposure to
airborne allergens or pollutants?
- Colds that
"go to the chest" or take more
than 10 days to clear up?
- Anti-asthma
medicine? How frequently does the patient
take it?
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