Asthma or something else?

[lyndor]

Hi,

Over the past few months I've noticed that I am having a hard time breathing once I start to exhert myself.  When I try to run after my kids or when I exercise (sometimes minimal exertion, too) I feel like it's hard to get my breath.  It kind of feels like my airway is smaller and it's harder to get the air through.  I also notice a tightness in my chest when this happens.  Even right now, when I take a deep breath, I can feel it's kind of tight.  Could this be the onset of adult asthma?

Additional notes that might help:  I've recently been tested for allergies and had a minimal reaction to molds and even less of a reation to dust mites and some tree pollens.  I'm a chronic headache sufferer (20 years) - migrane, tension, and sinus.  A previous allergist called me "a mucus producer" (yea, lovely).  I alwasy have mucus in my throat and feel stuffy.  I do use allergy meds, but they really don't seem to help these allergy symptoms.

Thanks for your help!

[thinkinpositive]

Just take one step at a time.  Write down all of your symptoms and bring it to a pulmonologist (or your primary because you may have to get the tests ordered).

Go see a pulmonologist and tell him everything.  Tell him what triggers your breathing problems.  Whether it's asthma, COPD, anxiety, etc. it's a step to finding out your problem.  Treatment is a must if it is asthma.  It is important so that it does not worsen or harm your lungs/heart.  Good luck!

[Allisonc78]

Could be a case of exercise induced asthma. Moving around and being active even can trigger tightness and shortness of breath with asthma. Allergies can also be triggering it, but I would talk to your allergist how much since you said your only slightly allergic. I am severely allergic to cats and dogs off the charts, have asthma, and currently have a dog and a cat. So far I can't tell whether they are setting my asthma off or not. Sometimes our allergies aren't the trigger and asthma is more intrinsic. I would go ahead and get some testing done to confirm if you are indeed asthmatic or not. Or you could talk to your doctor and see if they can prescribe you a maintenance inhaler such as Advair or Symbicort and see if you notice a difference. If you do, then it is most likely asthma related.