Breathing difficulty

My brother has difficulty breathing like his lungs are being pressed (not a nasal problem), and excessive gas.  He gets this anytime throughout the year but it seems every July - August he is much worse.  How does he treat these symptoms?  Over-the-counter meds and prescriptions do not help.   He was given prescription to help with the gas which has not helped much and the doctor does not know why he is having a hard time breathing.  He said he is getting plenty of air.  We are desperate for answers.  Thanks!

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Cough, chest tightness and breathlessness the three symptoms are the triad of symptoms for Asthma. It is a disease affecting the lungs causing narrowing of the airways, usually due to an allergic reaction to triggering factors. Therapy is with bronchodilators which cause the airways to dilate. His symptoms could also be due to COPD or Bronchiectasis. The other causes could be due to Bronchitis or Cystic fibrosis. He will need to consult his doctor who may ask for blood test and an X ray. Lung function tests could further help in evaluation.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.