Please help me because i don't know what to do.I think that i have asthma but i'm not sure.I can't breathe sometimes for minutes and i also cough a lot.What do you think?
2007-01-09 04:09:45 · 4 answers · asked by Irene K 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
Wheezing would be the number one symptom, along with shortness of breath. To diagnose wheezing you'd need to auscultate your lungs with a stethscope. If you here the whistling sound of the wheeze on expiration, you probably have asthma.
The only true "objective" way to diagnose asthma is with a Pulmonary Function Test (also called a PFT). You can probably do a Wikipedia search on this for more details...
During the PFT, there will be a measurement of flow on forced exhalation... if the flow in the small airway is impaired, it usually implies asthma. However, it is not considered asthma unless the flow impairment is "reversible" with a bronchodilator (e.g. Albuterol). So after the first set of measurements, you'll be given a bronchodilator. If there is significant change in flow after the medication is delivered, it is then considered asthma. If there's no change, it is not.
If you want the cheap technique... you get a peak flow meter, measure your Peak Flow prior to administration of a bronchodilator. Take the bronchodilator and measure the peak flow again. If there is greater than a 15-25% change after the medication, it's more than likely asthma (but again not as precise and definitive as the PFT).
Good luck.
2007-01-09 04:56:14 · answer #1 · answered by sam_of_losangeles 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally, if you have asthma and are exposed to a trigger, the muscles around your airways immediately tighten, making it harder to breathe. Sometimes it feels as if your chest is tightening, sometimes you have a dry or wheezy cough or sometimes it just feels as if you can't exhale. At times, it can feel as if an elephant is sitting on your chest. For me personally, the aftermath of an attack makes me feel as if someone wacked me in the chest with a metal club and my body just feels incredibly achey.
I'd go to the doctor and talk to him/her about what you're experiencing. They will do some breathing tests and then determine what's up.
They can prescribe a rescue inhaler (usually Albuterol) that will help with the breathlessness.
2007-01-09 05:30:48 · answer #2 · answered by Chelsea 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may infact have asthma. There are several symptoms that an attack can have:
wheezing
coughing mucus up frequently
blue-tinged lips or fingernails (shows lack of oxygen)
Only a doctor can diagnose you with asthma. PLease make an appointment and talk to your doctor about all the symptoms you have been having. There are great medications available by prescription (albuterol inhaler, singulair, flomax) that can greatly help you.
2007-01-09 04:21:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you need to see a physician. If you do have asthma or anything else, the only person who can properly treat it is a doctor. You may have asthma, but getting an on line diagnosis and trying to treat yourself is exceptionally irresponsible.
2007-01-09 04:21:52 · answer #4 · answered by Jess4352 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋