Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Diagnosis of Chronic Bronchitis

By Amy Cheung

Diagnosis of chronic bronchitis can become very hard, due to the fact that this condition shares a lot of symptoms with various diseases such as pneumonia and emphysema. In the course of the preliminary check-up the specialist will assess your full medical history, plus conduct a complete physical examination. Your doctor may inquire about all of the symptoms you are suffering from, and potentially ask if you are a smoker, given that chain smoking is the leading trigger of this condition. If the results of the examination are insufficient for a definite diagnosis, there are still many different diagnostic tests that can be carried out to confirm if a patient is has developed chronic bronchitis:

Pulmonary Function Testing (abbreviated as PFT) - This method requires a series of breathing exercises with the help of a machine. The machine used in PFT serves to calculate your airflow, and the amount of oxygen that can flow into your lungs. This method is pertinent in chronic bronchitis diagnosis since a majority of individuals who experience chronic bronchitis complain of a gasping sensation, and labored respiration. This method enables the attending physician to assess the normal functions of your lungs.

HRCT or High Resolution Computer Tomography is a special type of Computed Tomography (CT) scan that can provide your doctor with clear imaging of your lungs. This diagnostic step is done exactly as a CT scan is, and should only take a short number of minutes. These are usually performed on an open air table.

X-Ray - Chest X-Rays provides the doctor with a clear chronic bronchitis diagnosis, and enables the doctor to exclude several other related possibilities.

Chronic bronchitis diagnosis is generally pain-free and easy. If you think that you have developed chronic bronchitis it is a great idea to seek a visit with your doctor and get a definite diagnosis. Avoid cigarette smoking and inhaling irritants either in your workplace or inside your home. If have been tested positive for chronic bronchitis it is often a better to make adjustments in your diet, and start exercising daily to protect oneself from the symptoms of of chronic bronchitis.

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