Doctors do not use chest X-rays to diagnose asthma. However, you may require a chest X-ray ​if you’re in the hospital or emergency department because of a severe asthma attack. It can help show signs of lung damage.

While chest X-rays aren’t used to diagnose asthma, they can point to lung damage and pneumonia as the cause or complication of an asthma attack.

Read on to learn more about the role of chest X-rays for asthma, when you might require an X-ray, and more.

X-rays send small amounts of electromagnetic radiation through your chest to create images of the bones and tissues.

In terms of an asthma diagnosis, a chest X-ray is not a diagnostic test. A doctor is more likely to recommend lung function tests and challenge tests to assess your airways and your ability to breathe.

Chest X-rays can also help with diagnosing complications of asthma or related conditions, such as pneumothorax and pneumonia.

Learn more about chest X-rays.

Doctors don’t usually order X-rays to diagnose asthma, though they may recommend an X-ray alongside other tests such as CT scans.

A doctor may also order a chest X-ray for asthma:

Learn about asthma testing.

Chest X-rays may be conducted directly at an outpatient clinic or a hospital.

At your appointment, you’ll be asked to change out of your clothes from the waist up and to put on a gown. You’ll also need to remove jewelry, watches, and other metallic items that may interfere with the X-ray.

An X-ray usually takes a few minutes. Here’s what usually happens during a chest X-ray for asthma:

  1. A technician will have you stand or sit in front of the X-ray machine.
  2. The technician will instruct you to hold still as they quickly take images with the X-ray machine. They may do this either on the other side of the wall or in a separate room.
  3. Multiple images are taken, with a minimum of one side view and one front view of your chest.
  4. Once the X-ray is done, your technician will send them along with a report to the doctor.

Depending on where the images are taken, you may get the results the same day or in the following days.

X-rays use radiation, so there’s a risk that repeated exposure could increase the risk of developing cancer later in life.

However, X-rays for asthma carry few short-term risks, as they aren’t typically repeated on a regular basis. A single X-ray to help diagnose asthma is unlikely to pose long-term risks.

Tell a doctor if you’re pregnant or are trying to become pregnant — you may need to wait to have X-rays done. If X-rays are recommended in an emergency, a doctor may consider the benefits of the X-ray against any risks and take extra precautions, such as placing a lead apron over your abdominal area.

Children may also be more susceptible to the effects of radiation from X-rays. Talk with a doctor about diagnostic options for a child — they may still recommend a chest X-ray if the benefits outweigh the risks.

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A chest X-ray is the first type of imaging that’s given to many individuals with symptoms of asthma. It’s used to find complications or other causes of wheezing.

In most people with mild cases of asthma, a chest X-ray won’t find any causes for concern. A doctor will likely recommend a combination of tests to help determine the underlying causes so you’re prescribed the right treatments.

Since there’s no cure for asthma, taking prescribed treatments is the best way to address your symptoms while preventing asthma attacks. Call a doctor if your current treatment plan isn’t helping your symptoms.