Is asthma constant?

[rebe]

Years ago I was diagnosed with sports related asthma... sometimes If I was working out I would get shortness of breath and asthma attack.  A few months ago I went to the doctor because of constant chest pressure, she listened to my chest and made me fake coughs... said I was wheezing and it must be my asthma.

From everything I have known about asthma in the past, it seems like it's something that comes and goes, is brought on by some type of irritant, etc.  Can asthma be wheezing and CONSTANT pressure on the chest that gets worse if laying down or reclining?  Is the diagnosis of asthma for those symptoms something I should be concerned about and seek a 2nd opinion on?

Thanks for any info you can provide!

[National Jewish]

Asthma is a variable disease.  For some people the symptoms will come and go.  For others the symptoms are constant.  The basic problem is chronic inflammation in the airways of the lungs that gets better and worse at different times.  Even though people can be relatively "mild" most of the time, they can have rather severe attacks after specific triggers.  Exercise, like sports and working out, is a common trigger.

Asthma can change at any point in time without warning for the better or the worse.  This change may be temporary or permanent.  Generally the only way to know is with the passage of time.  So it is possible for you to have had sports related asthma and now have wheezing and CONSTANT pressure on the chest that gets worse if laying down or reclining.

To know for sure if your symptoms are due to asthma you will need to have testing done.  Generally testing starts with a simple breathing test called spirometry.  This test provides detailed information about how your lungs are working.  It will show if there is obstruction in your airways.  The best test for asthma is to have this test is repeated after you have used a rescue inhaler.  This measures how much the bronchodilator helps your lungs by reversing the problem.  When there is a 20% increase the test is positive for asthma.  You might consider seeing a local Board Certified Allergist for help in making the diagnosis and getting the best treatment.

[Qaiphyx]

Ive had asthma all my life, mostly come and go attacks... but now, at 19 years old, I have constant tightness in my chest too. I dont know what its all about, so if you find out what the problem is please inform me.

Email: ***@****

Thanks
Qaiphyx

[Jane1]

I am Asthmatic and My asthma has nearly always been a constant wheeze and when its bad the doc says it sounds like an orchestra in my chest.  Unlike most, I rarely have had big huge gasping for air or loss of air attacks, but the wheezing does improve with medication and worsens when I am near any irritants esp.Dust.

Rgds.
J

[starion]

It may be useful to get an evaluation/re-evaluation of your condition.  When asthma is optimally controlled, you should have minimal symptoms.  Our asthma can change (improve and/or worsen) over time.  It IS useful to have periodic re-evaluations of your treatment plan and medications to see whether some modifications may improve your symptoms.
You may also benefit from an evaluation for allergies and/or gastric reflux.  Both have been shown to worsen asthma and lung function.
A large teaching hospital with a good pulmonary department or a specialized respiratory center like National Jewish would be able to do a great evaluation.
Best of luck!
Aloha,
Starion

[Nikkii]

It is very common for ACID REFLUX to cause asthma and nobody seems to know about this. I am on Protonix.  You do NOT have to have any symptoms in the way of heartburn or stomach trouble - -it is a SILENT problem and most often overlooked.  Anyone who suffers from asthma, before getting a prescription, just try an over-the-counter generic brand of acid reducer of Tagamet or Zantac. Also, the prescription meds that I had caused the asthma to be worse - - I was allergic to Advair, Allegra and Singulair.