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What Causes Breathlessness And Cough When Diagnosed With Mild Asthma?
Question: I have been experiencing shortness of breath for 3 days now. At times I cough and I also feel like it is hard to swallow. I was diagnosed with a very mild form of asthma but my inhaler is not helping at all, in fact it seems to make it worse.
Brief Answer:
suggestive of acute exacerbation of asthma
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for your query.
Considering the fact that you were diagnosed with a mild form of asthma, the symptoms are suggestive of acute exacerbation of asthma, secondary to a respiratory tract infection.
Regarding the symptoms as mentioned in your post, kindly let us know about the following:
1. Which inhaler are you using? For how many days and how many puffs per day?
2. Any diurnal variation? i.e. symptoms are more during any particular time of the day or night?
3. Is the cough associated with sputum? If yes, what is the colour?
4. Any tests/ laboratory investigations carried out? If yes, then please attach the concerned reports along with your post.
5. Any past history or family history of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Hypertension, Diabetes, Heart disease, Thyroid disorder, etc?
6. History of exposure to any chemical or smoke at home or working place?
7. Habit of smoking or alcohol consumption?
8. History of recent or prolonged intake of any medication (other than your inhaler)?
9. Any other associated symptoms, like chest pain, headache, body ache, sore throat, fever, chills, etc.?
A knowledge of the above mentioned facts will be helpful to make a better diagnosis and formulate an appropriate management plan.
Till then, symptomatic relief can be obtained with:
1. Steam inhalation and deep breathing exercises.
2. Cough expectorant syrup.
3. Antihistamine preparations like Cetrizine or Allegra.
Wishing you a good health.
Take care.
suggestive of acute exacerbation of asthma
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for your query.
Considering the fact that you were diagnosed with a mild form of asthma, the symptoms are suggestive of acute exacerbation of asthma, secondary to a respiratory tract infection.
Regarding the symptoms as mentioned in your post, kindly let us know about the following:
1. Which inhaler are you using? For how many days and how many puffs per day?
2. Any diurnal variation? i.e. symptoms are more during any particular time of the day or night?
3. Is the cough associated with sputum? If yes, what is the colour?
4. Any tests/ laboratory investigations carried out? If yes, then please attach the concerned reports along with your post.
5. Any past history or family history of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Hypertension, Diabetes, Heart disease, Thyroid disorder, etc?
6. History of exposure to any chemical or smoke at home or working place?
7. Habit of smoking or alcohol consumption?
8. History of recent or prolonged intake of any medication (other than your inhaler)?
9. Any other associated symptoms, like chest pain, headache, body ache, sore throat, fever, chills, etc.?
A knowledge of the above mentioned facts will be helpful to make a better diagnosis and formulate an appropriate management plan.
Till then, symptomatic relief can be obtained with:
1. Steam inhalation and deep breathing exercises.
2. Cough expectorant syrup.
3. Antihistamine preparations like Cetrizine or Allegra.
Wishing you a good health.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
In answer to your questions
1. It's an albuterol inhaler 90 mcg per actuation. I have only used it once recently, I don't use it usually because it has never helped. I only tried it this time because I was desperate. It did not help
2. No diurnal variations
3. Some sputum never looked at it
4. No tests carried out
5. None that I know of
6. Actually yes I was at my father's and his wife smokes and that was the day before I started having breathing problems
7. I don't now and never have smoked. I have an occasional drink not more than one a week.
8. I take vitamins, one for sleeping called kavinace and zinc and a hair skin and nail multivitamin everyday.
9. I did have some chest pain but I figure that could be due to the fact that I'm straining to breath.
Also after I sent my question today I took a vitamin called clear lungs it's an herbal remedy, I am feeling better breathing easier.
1. It's an albuterol inhaler 90 mcg per actuation. I have only used it once recently, I don't use it usually because it has never helped. I only tried it this time because I was desperate. It did not help
2. No diurnal variations
3. Some sputum never looked at it
4. No tests carried out
5. None that I know of
6. Actually yes I was at my father's and his wife smokes and that was the day before I started having breathing problems
7. I don't now and never have smoked. I have an occasional drink not more than one a week.
8. I take vitamins, one for sleeping called kavinace and zinc and a hair skin and nail multivitamin everyday.
9. I did have some chest pain but I figure that could be due to the fact that I'm straining to breath.
Also after I sent my question today I took a vitamin called clear lungs it's an herbal remedy, I am feeling better breathing easier.
Brief Answer:
Respiratory tract infection or Hyper responsiveness of air passages
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for your follow up query and detailed case history.
A. Asthma is caused due to broncho-constriction (obstruction of smaller airway passages) which is indicative of Hyper-responsiveness of air passages.
Albuterol provides symptomatic relief by causing broncho-dilation (dilating the smaller airway passages, relieving the obstruction & increasing airflow to lungs).
If you are not having any relief from this inhaler, then you need to use an inhaler containing a bronchodilator+corticosteroid (like Seroflo).
The cortico-steroid will take care of the inflammatory process and reduce the hyper-responsiveness of air passages.
Kindly discuss regarding this with your Doctor/ Pulmonologist.
The aggravation of symptoms at present can be attributed to a superimposed respiratory tract infection or Hyper-responsiveness of air passages to smoke.
However, proper clinical examination is necessary for confirmation of diagnosis.
Certain investigations like complete blood count, Pulmonary function test and X ray of chest might be needed.
B. If I was your treating Doctor, I would have suggested you the following, based on the available information:
1. Steam inhalation & deep breathing exercise.
2. Tablet Levocetrizine 5 mg to be taken twice a day & Tablet Montelukast 10 mg to be taken at night.
3. Analgesic anti-inflammatory preparation like Paracetamol.
4. Syrup Grillinctus BM 10 ml to be taken thrice a day.
5. A course of antibiotics like Azithromycin 500 mg to be taken once a day.
6. Seroflo inhaler 2 puffs to be taken twice a day.
C. In addition, you need to maintain adequate hydration & nutrition status and avoid exposure to cold, dust & other allergens.
You can also continue the vitamins and herbal medication for relief of symptoms.
Wishing you a good health.
Take care.
Respiratory tract infection or Hyper responsiveness of air passages
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for your follow up query and detailed case history.
A. Asthma is caused due to broncho-constriction (obstruction of smaller airway passages) which is indicative of Hyper-responsiveness of air passages.
Albuterol provides symptomatic relief by causing broncho-dilation (dilating the smaller airway passages, relieving the obstruction & increasing airflow to lungs).
If you are not having any relief from this inhaler, then you need to use an inhaler containing a bronchodilator+corticosteroid (like Seroflo).
The cortico-steroid will take care of the inflammatory process and reduce the hyper-responsiveness of air passages.
Kindly discuss regarding this with your Doctor/ Pulmonologist.
The aggravation of symptoms at present can be attributed to a superimposed respiratory tract infection or Hyper-responsiveness of air passages to smoke.
However, proper clinical examination is necessary for confirmation of diagnosis.
Certain investigations like complete blood count, Pulmonary function test and X ray of chest might be needed.
B. If I was your treating Doctor, I would have suggested you the following, based on the available information:
1. Steam inhalation & deep breathing exercise.
2. Tablet Levocetrizine 5 mg to be taken twice a day & Tablet Montelukast 10 mg to be taken at night.
3. Analgesic anti-inflammatory preparation like Paracetamol.
4. Syrup Grillinctus BM 10 ml to be taken thrice a day.
5. A course of antibiotics like Azithromycin 500 mg to be taken once a day.
6. Seroflo inhaler 2 puffs to be taken twice a day.
C. In addition, you need to maintain adequate hydration & nutrition status and avoid exposure to cold, dust & other allergens.
You can also continue the vitamins and herbal medication for relief of symptoms.
Wishing you a good health.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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