Computer warns of asthma attacks

The technology may particularly benefit asthmatic children

A computer programme could help asthma sufferers get advanced warning of an attack.

The system that is being developed works by evaluating the respiratory sounds made by asthma patients.

We would welcome any development that makes life easier for people with asthma

National Asthma Campaign

During an attack, the respiratory tract becomes narrower, leading to gradual changes in the sound made during breathing.

The sounds can be picked up by a microphone just under the Adam's apple.

They are then interpreted by the intelligent computer programme which has been developed by Dr Mireille Oud during her postdoctoral research at the University of Amsterdam.

This is something that the human ear cannot do.

Previous research

Previous research into respiratory sounds has focused mainly on being able to distinguish between patients who are breathing normally and those who are desperately short of breath.

But Dr Oud, who works for the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, has found that respiratory sounds can provide enough information to precisely determine the level of shortness of breath.

She is currently finishing off an analysis of the series of measurements she has carried out.

One potential use of the microphone system is to set off an alarm warning the patient of impending breathing problems while they are asleep.

It may also help researchers to study a patient's condition without him or her having to be made short of breath.

This could be particularly beneficial for children, who often find it difficult to blow hard several times in the course of a lung function test.

Dr Oud told BBC News Online that the system would make it possible to monitor patients over the longer term.

She said: "Tests in clinic are in the nature of things a random indication of a patient's condition.

"Recording breath sound over longer terms, weeks or months, will give an detailed and objective picture of a patient's condition and a good view on the course of his disorder in daily life.

"This information could then be used by the physician to set up an adequate treatment."

A spokeswoman for the National Asthma Campaign said: "We would welcome any development that makes life easier for people with asthma."