Dr. Raul Valor, Pulmonologist with Baptist Health South Florida, says the majority of the diagnosis of asthma is done on clinical grounds, and the history of the patient is probably the single most important factor.

He points out patients will report wheezing at night and they are awakened in the middle of the night by wheezing or a cough. He explains there are also physical findings, such as prolonged expiration, poor air movement in the chest, and abnormal sounds in the lungs.