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What Causes Recurring Respiratory Tract Infections, Chest Infections And Left Arm Pain?
Question: hi for the past 4 months I keep having respiratory tracts infections and chest infections and breathing sounds like a dove espically in the mornings I also bring up flem I have had several doses of antibitotics and also have a sharp pain in my left arm, sometimes shoulder/neck which comes and goes can be away for weeks then sharp pain for days with nausea I always feel tired
Brief Answer:
asthma? COPD?
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
having respiratory tract infections during the winter is not unusual. Wheezing and copious phlegm production usually signify more serious infections (not always though). Wheezing can be due to asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Asthma usually presents early in life. COPD occurs later. COPD is much more frequent in smokers. Your doctor can detect auscultatory findings of both disorders during clinical examination.
Common symptoms of both conditions include shortness of breath (which could be transient in asthma or more stable in COPD), wheezing, susceptibility to prolonged duration of respiratory tract infections, etc. Patients with COPD usually have a lot of phlegm. Spirometry may be used to diagnose these disorders.
Regarding your shoulder, I don't believe it's related to the infections. An orthopedics specialist should assess your shoulder and neck. It could be due an injury or other causes (like cervical spine stenosis or protrusion of an intervertebral disc).
Nausea and fatigue can be attributed to the infections and/or the treatment. Several antibiotics cause nausea or other abdominal discomfort. Fatigue is a very common symptom during any infection.
Please be cautious with painkillers because NSAID (non-steroid-anti-inflammatory drugs) may cause serious side effects like peptic ulcer, liver injury, renal damage, hypertension. allergic reactions, etc. Prefer paracetamol if it's effective enough.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
asthma? COPD?
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
having respiratory tract infections during the winter is not unusual. Wheezing and copious phlegm production usually signify more serious infections (not always though). Wheezing can be due to asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Asthma usually presents early in life. COPD occurs later. COPD is much more frequent in smokers. Your doctor can detect auscultatory findings of both disorders during clinical examination.
Common symptoms of both conditions include shortness of breath (which could be transient in asthma or more stable in COPD), wheezing, susceptibility to prolonged duration of respiratory tract infections, etc. Patients with COPD usually have a lot of phlegm. Spirometry may be used to diagnose these disorders.
Regarding your shoulder, I don't believe it's related to the infections. An orthopedics specialist should assess your shoulder and neck. It could be due an injury or other causes (like cervical spine stenosis or protrusion of an intervertebral disc).
Nausea and fatigue can be attributed to the infections and/or the treatment. Several antibiotics cause nausea or other abdominal discomfort. Fatigue is a very common symptom during any infection.
Please be cautious with painkillers because NSAID (non-steroid-anti-inflammatory drugs) may cause serious side effects like peptic ulcer, liver injury, renal damage, hypertension. allergic reactions, etc. Prefer paracetamol if it's effective enough.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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