#7 - Asthma Part 1 - What is asthma & how is asthma diagnosed?

How is asthma diagnosed?   Similar to many of the atopic diseases, asthma is not black and white. When it comes to diagnosing asthma, there are many factors including history, allergies, biology, and tests that are performed by your doctor (allergist, pulmonologist or primary care doctor).   Asthma is a massive topic, and we can't cover in it one episode, let alone take a deep dive. We will be breaking down asthma into three episodes covering all the essential aspects you need to know.   In the first part of our three-part series, we outline the symptoms and triggers of asthma as well as the tests that doctors perform to diagnose asthma. Dr G and Kortney also talk about differentiating an asthma attack and allergic reaction.   Part 2 of the series will be about the types of asthma and severity. Part 3 will cover the treatments available for asthma and what goes into an asthma action plan.   What we cover in this episode: Dr G and Kortney briefly discuss their time advocating for patients with asthma and allergies on Capitol Hill The anatomy of the lungs Define asthma and outline its symptoms and triggers How doctors diagnose asthma The tests used to diagnose asthma How an asthma attack can mask an allergic reaction Supporting info: www.itchpodcast.com/blog/episode-7