symptoms similar to asthma, is it worth going to a doctor?
10.October, 2009
i have always had symptoms similar to asthma(coughing and tightness in chest after running) but these only happen when i really overwork myself. i was wandering if this is asthma or not, and if so whether its worth going to see a doctor as it doesn’t affect my life much, but some websites say that asthma can get worse over time.
Well..I would suggest yes go to the doctor. As we get older Asthma can sometimes get worse. It "sounds" like you may have exercise induced asthma. Usually this only happens if you get your heart rate up. Usually this does not turn into the asthma we all hear about that can happen at any time not only when exercising. However your doctor does need to have a record of this happening. As always the most obvious answer may not be the correct answer. I would definitely get this checked, you never know. Also your doctor may give you an inhaler just to use when your exercising to alleviate the symptoms. Hope this helps.
10.October, 2009 um 6:36 am
Well..I would suggest yes go to the doctor. As we get older Asthma can sometimes get worse. It "sounds" like you may have exercise induced asthma. Usually this only happens if you get your heart rate up. Usually this does not turn into the asthma we all hear about that can happen at any time not only when exercising. However your doctor does need to have a record of this happening. As always the most obvious answer may not be the correct answer. I would definitely get this checked, you never know. Also your doctor may give you an inhaler just to use when your exercising to alleviate the symptoms. Hope this helps.
References :
me, a nurse for 11 yrs.
10.October, 2009 um 6:50 am
It sounds like it maybe exercise induced bronchospasm - ie when the muscles around your air tubes tighten and make the tubes smaller. Asthma can be quite difficult to diagnose conclusively especially if you don’t have any other symptoms - it doesn’t necessarily get worse over time. Asthma is defined as variable airflow obstruction and can be well controlled on the right medication. You could go and see your gp (or practice nurse specialising in asthma) who may suggest doing an exercise test and measuring your peak flow - or getting you to keep a peak flow diary at home. They’d need a bit more info to assess whether you might have exercise induced asthma, like whether this is a new problem, if there is a family history of asthma, if you’re overweight, if you smoke etc etc. From that they could decide if it warrants further investigations. Hope that helps. Try checking out Asthma UK - its a good website.
References :
Registered Nurse running asthma clinics.