1. Ask a friend or family member to count how many times a minute you breathe at a time when you are sitting down resting and don't know that they are doing it. If you know they are counting then it becomes a little artificial. You shouldn't breathe more than 12 - 14 times a minute when resting.

2. Try counting your own breaths for a few minutes while you rest. Sometimes this is not very accurate because you become conscious of your breathing and change the normal pattern.

3. Watch someone else breathe who isn't an asthmatic when you are both resting. Breathe at the same speed they do, is it difficult or easy? If it is difficult it probably means that you naturally breathe faster than they do.

4. Be tested for hyperventilation at your local hospital.

5. After doing a normal exhalation, hold your breath until it starts to feel uncomfortable. Do not try to empty your lungs, just breathe out like you do at any other time. If you cannot hold your breath for at least 30 seconds comfortably then you are breathing more than you should be.

6. How many of the common symptoms of hyperventilation do you regularly have?