Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of the respiratory system. There are multiple risk factors. Poor indoor and outdoor air quality as well as exposure to cigarette smoke aggravate the symptoms. Approximately 11% of the population of the Laurentians has been diagnosed with asthma, which represents about 56 000 people 12 years of age or over. This rate is higher than in the rest of the province.
Accessing the service
To receive the services offered, you require a referral from your family doctor.
Diagnostic tests
Your family doctor or a doctor at a walk-in clinic may have you undergo a spirometry test. Some medical clinics or family medicine groups offer this service. You may also be given a referral to have one or more tests done at a respiratory physiology laboratory.
Spirometry
This is a common and efficient diagnostic test that can easily be done in a medical clinic or at the hospital. It is also used to screen for asthma.
Bronchial provocation
This test assesses bronchial hyperreactivity using a pharmacological agent, such as metcholine.
It is important to note that you must stop the use of certain inhalers and certain other medications and stop eating certain foods (coffee and chocolate) before the test. If you do not have the test-related directives, please contact your testing facility. Otherwise, it is important to mention it to the respiratory therapist at the time of the test.
The test will be analyzed by a pneumologist. The diagnosis will then be communicated to the doctor who requested the test.
To book an appointment, you can contact the respiratory physiology laboratory closest to you, according to the test requested. Please note that this test requires a medical referral.
Respiratory physiology laboratories
Hôpital de Mont-Laurier
Available tests: spirometry, basic assessment and bronchial provocation
Telephone: 819-623-1228, ext. 6449
Fax: 819-623-1311
Centre multiservices de santé et de services sociaux de Rivière-Rouge
Available test: spirometry
Telephone: 819-275-2118, ext. 53481
Fax: 819-275-1304
Centre multiservices de santé et de services sociaux de Sainte-Agathe (formerly Hôpital Laurentien)
Available tests: spirometry, basic assessment and bronchial provocation
Telephone: 819-324-4040
Hôpital de Saint-Jérôme
Hôpital de Saint-Jérôme offers services for children. Please note that you must send your referral by fax or take it directly to the secretary in pneumology, in block D on the 3rd floor. We will call you back to book an appointment.
Available tests: spirometry, basic assessment and bronchial provocation
Telephone: 450-432-2777, ext. 22579
Fax: 450-431-8209
Centre multiservices de santé et de services sociaux d'Argenteuil
Available tests: spirometry and basic assessment
Telephone: 450-562-3761, ext. 72334 or 72335
Hôpital de Saint-Eustache
You must send your referral by fax or take it directly to reception in block D. We will call you back to book an appointment.
Available tests: spirometry, basic assessment and bronchial provocation
Fax: 450-473-3285
Centre d’enseignement sur l’asthme (Asthma educational centre)
People with asthma can receive educational services through the Centre d’enseignement sur l’asthme (CEA).
The program is offered online.
Learning about asthma and its treatment helps the person suffering from asthma or their parents to take charge by improving their ability to actively participate in its treatment. The role of the program’s educators is to help patients or their parents better understand asthma and control its symptoms to optimize quality of life.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, we encourage you to contact the CEA of the Réseau Québécois en éducation de la santé respiratoire.
Hôpital de Saint-Jérôme
Telephone: 450-432-2777, ext. 22579 (option 3)
Useful links
Réseau québécois en éducation de la santé respiratoire (in French only)
Association pulmonaire du Québec (Québec Lung Association)