asthma symptoms

asthma symptoms questions and answers

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Q: symptoms similar to asthma, is it worth going to a doctor?
i have always had symptoms similar to asthma(coughing and tightness in chest after running) but these only happen when i really overwork myself. i was wandering if this is asthma or not, and if so whether its worth going to see a doctor as it doesn't affect my life much, but some websites say that asthma can get worse over time.

A: Well..I would suggest yes go to the doctor. As we get older Asthma can sometimes get worse. It "sounds" like you may have exercise induced asthma. Usually this only happens if you get your heart rate up. Usually this does not turn into the asthma we all hear about that can happen at any time not only when exercising. However your doctor does need to have a record of this happening. As always the most obvious answer may not be the correct answer. I would definitely get this checked, you never know. Also your doctor may give you an inhaler just to use when your exercising to alleviate the symptoms. Hope this helps.

Q: Could I be having the symptoms of asthma?
I have been having some symptoms that I cannot explain. I am short breathed when I do any physical activity. I am having trouble breathing without doing physical activity. I can breath in fine, but my chest gets tight and I can't breath out. I don't know if this contributes or not but I am also having trouble sleeping. Please help! Thank you!

A: It sounds like exercise induced asthma. You'll have to get tested to see if you're asthmatic. I'm am and having a lot of difficulty breathing since the pollen's dangerously high and cannot stop wheezing. I just changed medicine and it could be because I'm adjusting to the new medicine. I would see a doctor to get an inhaler. If you smoke, you'll get worse as you get older. Smoking causes a lot of respiratory problems. So quit while you're ahead.

Q: Is is possible to have asthma like symptoms but not actually have asthma ?
My friend is sick, he has this shortness of breath and every time he goes to the hospital they just say its asthma and of course its not because he thinks its food related because sometimes when he eats his stomach bloats a bit and that would also make him cough, white crap comes out and there is the wheezing. I'm just worried about him

A: well your description is vague but i'll give you the best i can: food allergy can trigger asthma like symptoms. so if indeed he does have food allergy then the doctors are likely to say asthma or bronchitis or something similar because the symptoms are what they are diagnosing. however the food - stomach issue- can be a totally different set of circumstances. now, coughing up white "crap" isnt unusual in most circumstances, assuming the crap is phlegm from the lungs. if he is coughing up something from the gut, likely not, because most gut stuff is not white, then you need to check that out as a separate issue. in general i'd say he doesnt have anything chronically serious, but keep in mind that any allergic reaction triggering severe enough breathing impairment can be fatal. so the thought here is to seek treatment when these symptoms occur. however if your friend has been given inhalers or pills for the "asthma" then use them.

Q: What are the symptoms of asthma?
What are the symptoms of asthma? Coughing and slight weezing? Is that all? Thank you

A: People with asthma may suffer from a variety of symptoms, none of which is specific for asthma: -wheeze -shortness of breath -chest tightness -cough. The hallmark of asthma is that these symptoms tend to be: -variable -intermittent -worse at night -provoked by triggers including exercise When cough is the predominant symptom without wheeze, this is often referred to as cough variant asthma.

Q: My 3 year old son had asthma symptoms 1 year ago. He hasn't had any since. Can the symptoms return?
1 year ago the Dr. gave us a nebulizer with albuterol to use when needed. He would only develop symptoms when he got a cold. He hasn't had any problems for 12 months.

A: I had a friend thats sister had asthma when she was that age and she's 9 now and she hasn't used her nebulizer sense she was 4 or 5. Don't get rid of his nebulizer though because he could have symtoms. its kinda unpredictable

Q: I have asthma, my symptoms have been gone for 6 years. What should I avoid doing?
What will be different for me than for a normal person?

A: Stay away from perfumer and colon.Also those thing that make your house smell better.(i forgot what they are called).

Q: does drinking warm water helps temporary relief of asthma symptoms?
am just talking in case of emergency when all the medications is not available. thanks

A: I've heard that drinking water helps during an asthma attack because of the oxygen in water. If you don't have any other medication with you at the time, you might as well try it.

Q: can ibuprofen, in any way, help relieve any symptoms of asthma?
"During attacks (exacerbations), the smooth muscle cells in the bronchi constrict, and the airways become inflamed and swollen." since the airways are swollen, it seems to me that ibuprofen would help to relieve some of these symptoms because ibuprofen reduces swelling. if ibuprofen does not help with asthma at all. can you please explain why? thanx

A: With chronic asthma and respiratory problems such as RSV and Cystic Fibrosis, doctors sometimes treat with Ibuprofen because it is an anti inflammatory. However there are also studies that long time ibuprofen regimens have caused severe liver problems, failure and all that. Along with causing stomach ulcers. SO its kind of a give take. As for taking it when you have an asthma attack I can see how it would help down the road about 1/2 an hour later but you need instant relief which advil wont cover. DO not self treat for an asthma attack. Talk to your doc about all of it.

Q: What are some symptoms of having bad asthma?
I started having asthma when I wuz like 7 or 8 (i'm 12), and it wuz minor that time. Now I start whezzing and coughing, and I think I have to start taking my asthma pump to school. And one weird thing is when I eat something, it feels like it's hard for me to breath. And another thing is weather changes. Since its like globing warming for like 1 day, then the other day it starts snowing(where I live). Like when I went to a hotel, and I went in the hot tub, it wuz hard 4 me 2 breathe...HELP!

A: i have astham and i also have this you find it hard to breathe when you eat because when you chomp and swallow you dont breathe so it makes you pant so to say the weather as always the cold will make you worse as its the chest that tightens and you cough and wheeze. id say take your pump to school with you.

Q: How do i know that i have asthma?What are the symptoms?
Please help me because i don't know what to do.I think that i have asthma but i'm not sure.I can't breathe sometimes for minutes and i also cough a lot.What do you think?

A: Wheezing would be the number one symptom, along with shortness of breath. To diagnose wheezing you'd need to auscultate your lungs with a stethscope. If you here the whistling sound of the wheeze on expiration, you probably have asthma. The only true "objective" way to diagnose asthma is with a Pulmonary Function Test (also called a PFT). You can probably do a Wikipedia search on this for more details... During the PFT, there will be a measurement of flow on forced exhalation... if the flow in the small airway is impaired, it usually implies asthma. However, it is not considered asthma unless the flow impairment is "reversible" with a bronchodilator (e.g. Albuterol). So after the first set of measurements, you'll be given a bronchodilator. If there is significant change in flow after the medication is delivered, it is then considered asthma. If there's no change, it is not. If you want the cheap technique... you get a peak flow meter, measure your Peak Flow prior to administration of a bronchodilator. Take the bronchodilator and measure the peak flow again. If there is greater than a 15-25% change after the medication, it's more than likely asthma (but again not as precise and definitive as the PFT). Good luck.

Q: Does anyone have an infant with asthma? What are the symptoms to look for in an infant?
When did it first appear? My daughter is almost six months and has allergies. My dad had infantile asthma that disappeared after allergy shots, my husband had it pretty severe and it went away after dietery changes ten years ago. Sometimes she does this wierd thing where she almost seems like she is hyperventilating...she has only done it a few times. Twice after crying hysterically and once the other day when there was a very cold wind chill. My husband and friend (who is almost finished with her nursing degree) witnessed it and thought do to the circumstances it was normal. When she was crying her nose was running alot and I could.t tell if she was having trouble breathing or if she was choking on her flem. My friend said, and mother agreed, that the cold wind is hard on their lungs, they aren't used to it. (Now I make sure I cover her face up in the cold) I really want to know what other people's experiences were so I know what to look for...and yes I will talk to the doctor.

A: It could just be her allergies acting up but heres a site about it.. http://www.getasthmahelp.org/diagnosis_infants.asp

Q: What are the symptoms of borderline asthma?
My doctor says I have the lungs of an asthmatic but i'm not officially an asthmatic. I do start coughing in certain atmospheres like cold air, etc and feel tight in the chest sometimes.

A: Coughing is the number one symptom of asthma. Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lungs. In mild cases it might only give you problems occasionally. The cold air can be a trigger, that increases the inflammation in your lungs and causes it to worsen. If you have asthma, the coughing and tight feeling in your chest could be signs of reduced lung capacity. This temporary loss of capacity can lead to problems if yet another trigger is encountered. I recommend you see an asthma specialist so you can determine your condition. You might need an inhaler to keep on hand just in case, or you might benefit from other treatment.

Q: my daughter has asthma what can i give her to sooth her symptoms?
my daughter is 4 yrs old nd she hasnt been diagnosed with asthma yet. but everythime she gets sick they put her on soooo many meds idk if theres anything i can give her like home remedies that may sooth her symptoms, or that may help her cough up the phlem please give me some ideas thanks alot!!!!

A: put her in the bathroom and turn on the shower to hot. The mist from it will help and clear her airways Theres nothing really i do, but i just have to cough it up. Better in than out

Q: Those that have asthma what are your symptoms like?
My doctor told me that I have asthma even though I'm not sure she's right> This is the first time I have seen this particular doctor. I don't usually get sick. I was in the hospital recently for something else and I came out coughing. So think I got something from the hospital. But the only sympotns I have are chest and back pains and congestion, it kind of hurst to breath, but I can breathe fine. I also have swollen tonsils, a nose aches, and earache.

A: The doctor will hear your bronchial tubes crackle, snap and gurgle when you breathe. Your breathing will be arrested and short, you will become sore trying to breathe. The congestion may or may not keep you quiet and down because you will not be able to get enough air to live right. It's really a pain but, it can be controlled. There are several types of inhalers and nebulizers that will make your life bearable.

Q: I've got swine flu and very mild asthma, im having regular symptoms, is it safe to smoke?
Im not having any more problems than people without asthma, so would i be alright? I have never had an asthma attack in my life, I just coughed a lot because my airways were sensitive.

A: I advise you not to smoke as even mild asthma can escelate very fast if you smoke, and even faster if you have swine flu. Smoking causes your lungs to have problems, swine flu endangers others (second hand smoking also endangers others), and asthma only makes it worse. With all three, nearly all major organs in the body will be affected.