Having Chest Spasms, Diarrhea. Have Asthma And COPD. Need Emergency Care?

Posted on Fri, 13 Jul 2012

Question: I have asthma and c.o.p.d. and have been experiencing chest spasms for the past two hours. I have also been sick with diarrhia (sp) for the past two days. Is it safe to just take a hot bath and try to sleep it off? Or should I get this checked out. It's my first experience of this kind. I was diagnosed in 2007, never smoked at all. Suggestions.? Thank you, Linda, age 55.

Answered by Dr. Pragnesh Vachharajani (41 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for posting your query.

I can appreciate your concern.

Please look for following:
>Difficulty in breathing even at rest, not getting relief with your routine asthma medications or need to use them very frequently.
>Problem in lying down
>Breathing very fast
>Having some pale or blue nails or lips
>Feeling very weak, unable to eat, poor oral intake
>Decrease urine frequency
>Watery diarrhoea
>pain in abdomen, tendency to vomit

In presence of any of above, please do not ignore and visit your doctor/ER.

Other wise please try following which should help.

1. Drink plenty of fluids; hot ones like soup are better. You can have juices, jello etc.
2. Take light diet like fruits, curd, rice etc.
3. Take your asthma medications regularly.
4. You can take tablet Tylenol for any associated body ache or discomfort.

Normally you should be fine in a day. If the diarrhoea continues then it is better that you visit a doctor and get treated for this.

Yes, you can take hot bath and take rest in your comfortable.

I hope this helps and clarify your concerns.

Please write again if you have more concerns, in case you do not have further query please accept the answer.

Regards,

Dr.Pragnesh

Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar