ok, its 5:44am ... Im up coughing and wheezing ... AGAIN! - for the past several days I am constantly waking up at the same time during the night (usually around 4:30am) coughing and when I ry to take a deep breath I cant, all I can hear is this wheeze. I've had it before but I determined it was my new long hairded cat that was doing it to me, so I had to get rid of him ... but theres no new pets in my life, no allergies to speak of just this damn wheeze. I've been to the doctor about it in the past and all he does is give me an inhaler and sends me home. Someone PLEASE help!! - I so miss breathing and actually getting a full nights sleep - oh and I AM a smoker but I don't think that is the trigger and I am 23 yrs old.
2006-07-18 22:51:03 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
This sounds like you are having asthma attacks. For a lot of people - me incuded - symptoms occur when you are lying down. Breathing is usually easier when sitting up - be sure to use your inhaler and then rest using two or more pillows. A breathing exercise that helps during wheezing is to inhale through your nose and to exhale slowly through your mouth with your lips pursed as if you are blowing out candles. Exhale as much air as possible and then inhale through your nose and repeat. The problem with asthma is getting the air out - even though you feel like you are not getting any air in. This was something I was taught when I was about 10 and they gave me a straw to practice breathing through to get the technique down. For long term relief - it is time to visit the doctor again. You may need to be tested for allergies and/or given some medication like Singulair or Advair to get the asthma under control. There are so many things that can trigger an attack: allergies - to just about anything, environmental factors - like mold and smoke, and even stress.
The absolute best thing you can do to prevent future problems is to be very aggressive at kicking the smoking habit. You are on the road to emphysema (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - or COPD) and you do not want to end up a hunched over gasping person dragging an oxygen tank - at the ripe old age of 25! Get the gum the patch or whatever - but do it as soon as possible.
2006-07-18 23:43:06 · answer #1 · answered by petlover 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You say the doc in the past has given you an inhaler and sent you on your way - has he ever order chest xrays for you?? I would think at this point now with the inhaler not working (if you are using it properly and on a regular basis) then the doc should be investigating it further.
Also - are you overweight and is this only happening when you are sleeping?? If so then try raising the head of your bed up some so that you are not laying flat and of course losing some weight. Even if you are not overweight - try the bed thing (what I would do for my son was put one of the couch cushions between his mattress and the box spring - but his was a small bed you might need more if you can use this approach). If you are congested at all and coughing phlegm - put in a cool mist vaporizor in the bedroom at night and see if that helps you out.
But by all means if this continues then you need to speak with your doctor again and if he doesn't help then get a second opinion.
2006-07-18 23:05:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
smoking related asthma is common but there is still pet dander from the cat, dander is little sticky particles not the hair, to be sure what is causing wheeze you need to go to an asthma and allergy specialist and get skin tests done, in the mean time get some flovent or asmanex or advair each of these meds have inhaled steroids to help stop the wheeze in your lungs caused by inflammation! advair also has a bromcho-dialator in it, but the albuterol inhaler the doctor gave you will open your airways faster, use it in emergency and the steroids once at night and once in the morning , go back to family doctor and get steroid inhalers and make appointment with allergy specialist, good luck!
2006-07-18 23:30:01 · answer #3 · answered by godiam1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Coughing and wheezing can be signs of asthma (you probably suspected this). Both of my sons had it when they were little. How we got rid of it was, cleaned the house thoroughly, installed a passive electrostatic air filter in the central air system, and most important of all, got them completely off dairy products. The symptoms were completely gone in less than a week. And, of course, stop smoking. If you live in an area where it gets real hot and the air gets stagnant, like here in Sacramento, then avoid vigorous activities in the bad air. The ozone will scar you lungs. Hope this helps....
'nuff said?
2006-07-18 22:59:26 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. Peachy® 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you having sinus drainage when you lay down? Probably is an allergy. Ask youdoc for some allegra. Works great.
2006-07-18 23:00:51 · answer #5 · answered by spider 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The smoking WON'T help. If it wakes you up maybe a trip to your local ER is in order for a breathing treatment
2006-07-18 22:55:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Friends,
try for meditation (yoga) early in the day or in the evening.
Atleast for 30 odd mints.
Then see the diffrence.
2006-07-18 23:09:33 · answer #7 · answered by jas_rohilla 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a second opinion. Perhaps you have asthma?
2006-07-18 22:57:31 · answer #8 · answered by seek the cure 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's called Asthma!! I have that too sometimes!
2006-07-18 22:57:52 · answer #9 · answered by Bridezilla 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋