Kearneys Spring, Toowoomba, 4350, QLD
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Kearneys Spring, Toowoomba, 4350, QLD
Do you suffer from Asthma symptoms? These include difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. These symptoms can become severe and lead to a life-threatening asthma emergency.
Asthma symptoms are caused by the muscles tightening around the airways, and swelling and mucus production inside the airways. Asthma triggers can be caused by substances, conditions or activities that lead to these symptoms. There is not one specific test to diagnose asthma – your doctor first needs to understand your symptoms and eliminate other possible causes of them. In people older than six years, a lung function test that measures airflow in and out of the lungs will help your doctor to diagnose asthma.
Book an appointment with a GP at Westridge Medical for an Asthma Check or an Asthma Plan.
If you are concerned about breathing difficulties it is important to keep a diary of symptoms to discuss with your doctor. You could also make a video or audio recording of the wheezing, you could use your mobile phone.
Keep a record of:
If you are an adult and you are concerned about your breathing, you should visit your doctor.
You should take your child to the doctor if:
You can discuss any noted symptoms with your doctor. Your doctor will ask other questions such as whether there is any family history of asthma, eczema or hay fever. They will also try to understand if there are any other reasons for your symptoms before making a clinical diagnosis of asthma.
In children, the doctor will assess the severity of the asthma based on the pattern and frequency of the symptoms.
A lung function test (spirometry) can help to diagnose asthma in adults and children six years and older.
Spirometry measures air flowing in and out of the lungs to give a measure of how well your lungs work. Other conditions, such as having a cold, can also affect lung function.
To do the test, you will blow into a tube as hard as you can for a few seconds. The spirometer measures the amount of air pushed through the tube, as well as other lung measurements. Most adults and children older than six years are able to do this test.
The doctors practicing at Westridge Medical offer the best health care in Toowoomba for the whole family. We believe in making a difference to the quality of life with the best health.
