Your doctor can monitor your asthma with a breathing test (also know as a lung function test) and Asthma Score. There are two breathing tests used for asthma; spirometry and peak flow measurement. Both measure how well your lungs are working and how much your asthma affects your breathing.
Spirometry
Peak flow
Asthma Score
Spirometry 19
Spirometry is the most accurate breathing test for asthma. An instrument called a spirometer is used. Doctors use spirometry to:
- Help identify if you have asthma
- Help work out how severe your asthma is
- See if your asthma is getting worse
- See if your asthma is improving with treatment
Spirometry accurately measures and records the amount of air breathed into and out of the lungs.
The results show how narrow the airways in your lungs are. Spirometry also helps your doctor decide what medications are best for you and whether the dose of your current medication needs to be increased or decreased.
Peak flow 19
A peak flow meter gives an idea of how narrow your airways are by measuring the maximum (or peak) rate at which you can blow air into it. Peak flow helps you see how much your airways are changing, but is not the recommended test to identify asthma. If you use asthma medications every day your doctor may advise you to use a peak flow meter to help you check your asthma at home. Generally children over the age of 7 can learn how to use a peak flow meter correctly.
Peak flow measurement is most often used as part of a Written Asthma Action Plan - developed with your doctor - to help you recognise when your asthma is getting worse, or when you may need to increase your medication.
AsthmaScore
Asthma Score is a simple 5 question test that allows you to rate your level of asthma control out of 25. It provides you with a measure for your asthma just like people with diabetes measure their sugar levels and people with hypertension measure their blood pressure.
It's important to note that Asthma Score has been checked against the methods currently used to measure asthma control; spirometry and a specialist's experience. Asthma Score has been endorsed by official bodies as an accurate and reliable way to assess asthma control.
Your Asthma Score will help you recognise whether your asthma is as well controlled as it could be.
Knowing your Asthma Score can be the first step to better asthma control.