Your allergist has several ways of determining the causes of breathing conditions, and the extent of lung capacity. Spirometry is a test that evaluates lung function. You breathe deep and exhale fast into a machine. The result is an analysis of your breathing. This test can also be used to determine if current treatments are effective. An exhaled nitric oxide test can determine if your airways are inflamed. For this test, you bite down on a mouth piece and slowly exhale several times. The machine will then compute a composite analysis. This is helpful in diagnosing asthma and other related conditions.
Rhinolaryngoscopy is another diagnostic test that can be done in the allergist’s office. It is a bit more involved than the breathing tests but takes only 30 minutes. A local anesthetic and topical decongestant are administered via a nose spray. The allergist uses a fiber optic scope to visualize the inner linings of the nose and sinuses. Structural abnormalities can be seen, such as septal defects and nasal polyps. This procedure is done if the patient suffers from nose bleeds, a persistent cough, or chronic congestion.
Another use for Rhinolaryngoscopy is to examine the throat and voice box. This is necessary if a patient has hoarseness or changes in vocal quality. The allergist can view the motion of the vocal cords, and the surrounding tissue. The endoscopic test can help your allergist determine a course of treatment that will work for your condition or disease. It is more convenient and more cost-effective than ultrasounds or MRI testing. Due to the nose spray anesthetic, the patient is not sedated and can drive herself home from the appointment directly after the procedure.
If you are experiencing breathing difficulty or notice changes in your lung capacity, do not hesitate to consult an allergist. They provide diagnosis and treatment of allergies, asthma, immunology issues, migraine headaches, and eczema. They can provide skin biopsy services, advise you on environmental factors that affect symptoms, and help with stress reduction. Stress reduction is important because so many symptoms, and flare-ups of allergies and respiratory conditions are exacerbated by high-stress levels. Your allergist will work, in conjunction with your primary care physician, to provide integrated, individualized care for your conditions.
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