What Causes Fatigue And Headache While Suffering From Asthma?

Posted on Wed, 25 May 2016

Question: I AM A 73 YR OLD FEMALE CAUCASIAN AND HAVE CONTROLLED HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, SEMI CONTROLLED GERD ( 40 MG A DAY OF PRILOSEC) . I ALSO HAVE SEVERE ASTHMA. I WAS A SMOKER FOR 30 YRS. I HAVE LOST FROM ABOUT 160 LBS IN DC. 2015 TO 148 LBS AS OF TODAY. I HAVE INTENTIONALLY EATEN FATTENING FOOD FOR PAST 2 WEEKS TO SEE IF I WOULD GAIN THE WEIGHT BACK. I HAVE NOT.
I TAKE THE FOLLOWING MEDS.... PRILOEC 40 MG, SINGULAIR 10 MG PER DAY, LEVOTHYROXINE 50 MG PER DAY, WELLBUTRIN HCLXL 150 MG ( THIS IS TO HELP CONTROL MY ASTHMA . I AM NOT DEPRESSED BUT DO HAVE ASTHMATIC PERIODS WHEN EMOTIONALLY UPSET). LOSARTIN HCT 100-125 MG , ADVAIR DISC 50/500 2 PER DAY, PULMICORT 180 MCG 2 PUFFS PER DAY, VITAMIN D 5000 UNITS PER DAY,AND A PROBIOTIC ONCE A DAY. SINCE BEING HOSPITALIZED IN OCT 2015 FOR ASTHMA I HAVE HAD 2 0R 3 DAYS EVERY FEW WEEKS A FEELING OF EXTREME FATIGUE AND JUST FEELING ILL USUALLY ACCOMPANIED BY A BAD HEADACHE. NOT REALLY ASTHMATIC DURING THESE TIMES, BUT I DO STILL HAVE CHEST AND HEAD CONGESTION SINCE THE HOSPITALIZATION IN OCT.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Asthmatic-induced bronchial spasms

Detailed Answer:
Greetings and welcome to HCM. Thank you for your question. I understand your concern.

I would like to tell you that asthmatic problems generate chronic problems, which are not related to acute "blasts" of asthma. Asthma itself generates changes in bronchial tree system which may be always accompanied with bronchial obstruction and spasms.

This, in their side, are accompanied with even mild episodes of hypoxia, which, in turn, generate symptoms such as general malaise, weakness and, maybe, other symptoms of bronchial obstruction.

I can see that your blood pressure is well-controlled and that your gastro-oeaophageal regurgitation disorder is well-controlled under medication. I assume you also are using airway pumps for asthma, and these are the proper treatment for bronchial obstruction. I would suggest you not to stop or forfeit your everyday activity, besides the minor discomfort you may receive.

I hope my information is helpful to you. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.

Kindest regards,
Dr. Meriton

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (15 hours later)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANSWER, DOCTOR. MY MAIN QUESTION WAS WHY I WOULD BE LOOSING WEIGHT SO RAPIDLY WH EN I AM NOT REALLY MAKING TO EFFORT TO DO SO ( ALTHOUGH I DO NEED TO LOOSE WEIGHT) DO YOU THINK THAT HYPOXIA COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WEIGHT LOSS. ALSO DO YOU THINK IT WOULD BE WORTH WHILE TO BUY A FINGER OXYGEN DEVICE?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Some blood tests

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Well, the total body weight loss may be worrisome if you lost 10% of the weight within a short amount of time, e.g. 1-6 months, without changing your eating habits or undergoing to various diet regimens. If this the case, a complete blood count and a biochemical profile is recommended. It is only after the results of the tests, when we may conclude certain entities to be ruled out from a differential diagnosis. The finger oxymeter is not necessary, I should say, but you may buy it if you want to. It will tell you what are the oxygen saturation levels momentally.

I hope this information helps. Please close the discussion and rate the answer, if you do not have further questions.

Regards,
Dr. Meriton

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar