Early detection of occupational asthma is very important. If symptoms improve on weekends and vacation and are worse at work, the job is likely to be the source of the asthma, although this is not always the case. Asthma is common, and exacerbation at work may be coincidental. Unlike the other chronic lung conditions, asthma usually first appears in patients less than 30 years old and with chest x-rays that are normal. Still, it may be difficult to distinguish these disorders in some adults with late onset asthma.
Panic disorder can coincide with asthma or be confused with it.
In cases of airway obstruction, the measurements fall. If the obstruction clears after using the drug, then a diagnosis of asthma is confirmed. If there are no signs of airflow obstruction but the doctor still suspects asthma, a challenge test may be performed. The challenge test is not always accurate, particularly in patients whose only asthmatic symptom is persistent coughing. It may be quite useful in ruling out occupational asthma.