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My 15yo Son Is An Athlete. For The Past 2-3
Question: My 15yo son is an athlete. for the past 2-3 months he's had chronic chest congestion, fatigue and breathlessness. Stuff that should be a piece of cake on the field is wiping him out. He's been diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma, but he has the condition all the time. Oral inhaler does not help, OTC decongestants only help a little and for a short time. Minor allergies to ragweed and thistle, but in the winter we don't have much of that around.
I'm desperate for help because the doctors are refusing to see him again. We're on MediCal and we're at their mercy.... Thanks in advance~
XXXXXXX Churchill
I'm desperate for help because the doctors are refusing to see him again. We're on MediCal and we're at their mercy.... Thanks in advance~
XXXXXXX Churchill
Brief Answer:
SABA just before exercise can help.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
Exercise-induced asthma is very difficult to treat.
It does not seem like routine asthma.
Exercise plays a trigger for asthma in this.
The usual treatment for this is:
1. Levosalbutamol (SABA - short-acting beta 2 agonist) inhaler 5-10 minutes before exercise.
2. Once a day at night before going to sleep, a combination of antihistamine (Levocetirizine or fexofenadine) and anti-allergic (montelukast).
Honestly speaking, there is no 100% cure for this.
Above mentioned treatment will be effective only in the prevention of asthma symptoms.
Has he undergone pulmonary function test at rest and immediately after exercise?
I'll be happy to help you further.
Wishing your son good health.
Thanks.
SABA just before exercise can help.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
Exercise-induced asthma is very difficult to treat.
It does not seem like routine asthma.
Exercise plays a trigger for asthma in this.
The usual treatment for this is:
1. Levosalbutamol (SABA - short-acting beta 2 agonist) inhaler 5-10 minutes before exercise.
2. Once a day at night before going to sleep, a combination of antihistamine (Levocetirizine or fexofenadine) and anti-allergic (montelukast).
Honestly speaking, there is no 100% cure for this.
Above mentioned treatment will be effective only in the prevention of asthma symptoms.
Has he undergone pulmonary function test at rest and immediately after exercise?
I'll be happy to help you further.
Wishing your son good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you for your reply, Dr. Bhavsar.
He has NOT had a pulmonary function test, although he did see a pulmonologist. Do you think we might gain some crucial information by insisting on this test?
I am NO doctor, to be sure. He says he never had it until close to the end of basketball season two months ago. To me, 'non-doctor dude', seems like this may be something that a round of amoxicillin could just knock down.
what do you think?
He has NOT had a pulmonary function test, although he did see a pulmonologist. Do you think we might gain some crucial information by insisting on this test?
I am NO doctor, to be sure. He says he never had it until close to the end of basketball season two months ago. To me, 'non-doctor dude', seems like this may be something that a round of amoxicillin could just knock down.
what do you think?
Brief Answer:
Yes, PFT is must.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, PFT is must for the diagnosis of any asthma.
Asthma diagnosis can not be made without PFT report.
So you should definitely demand for PFT report.
I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your son. Thanks.
Yes, PFT is must.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, PFT is must for the diagnosis of any asthma.
Asthma diagnosis can not be made without PFT report.
So you should definitely demand for PFT report.
I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your son. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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