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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
help in diagnosis of what I have
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
help in diagnosis of what I have
by stevenmoore, May 02, 2003 12:00AM
I would like to list the symptoms of my disorder and hopefully I can get some guidence on what I have. I haven't seen a specialist yet as referrels are so hard to get. I am 36. My symptoms have been around for about 15 years. I am otherwise healthy and in shape, and my weight is 150 lbs. I do not smoke.
1) I have a chronic shortness of breath when I exercise. After a few minutes of strenuous excercise, I am gasping for breath when my peers, many who are in worse shape then me, are fine. For example, I can't play basketball for more than about 5 minutes before needing about 10 minutes to "get my breath back". I'm not tired, but just go into heavy panting.
2) Whenever I get sick, even a 2 day cold, I get a bad dry cough. The cough will typically last a couple of weeks before going away. If I get the flu, the cough will last for about 4 or 5 weeks and at times I can barely talk. I have taken antibiotics in the past, but have found that they do not make much of a difference. Year round, even when not sick, I have a slight cough, but it is manageable (or I'm just so used to it by now).
These are the only symtoms I have. They haven't appeared to get better or worse over the past years.
Any sugestions would be appreciated.
1) I have a chronic shortness of breath when I exercise. After a few minutes of strenuous excercise, I am gasping for breath when my peers, many who are in worse shape then me, are fine. For example, I can't play basketball for more than about 5 minutes before needing about 10 minutes to "get my breath back". I'm not tired, but just go into heavy panting.
2) Whenever I get sick, even a 2 day cold, I get a bad dry cough. The cough will typically last a couple of weeks before going away. If I get the flu, the cough will last for about 4 or 5 weeks and at times I can barely talk. I have taken antibiotics in the past, but have found that they do not make much of a difference. Year round, even when not sick, I have a slight cough, but it is manageable (or I'm just so used to it by now).
These are the only symtoms I have. They haven't appeared to get better or worse over the past years.
Any sugestions would be appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, May 06, 2003 12:00AM
, May 06, 2003 12:00AM
Certainly ongoing shortness of breath with exercise and coughing are signs that there is a problem. To know for sure if this is due to a lung problem you will need to have testing done. Generally testing for a breathing problem starts with a simple breathing test called spirometry. This test provides detailed information about how your lungs are working. If your shortness of breath with exercise and coughing are due to a lung problem, this testing should identify the cause.
In addition to a lung problem, ongoing cough and shortness of breath could be due to a heart problem. Another possible cause is allergy. An ongoing cough can be a side effect of a group of medicines used to treat high blood pressure called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, but from the information that you have given this would not explain your shortness of breath. In a person who has a normal chest x-ray and who doesn’t smoke the other common causes of cough are postnasal drip and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Since your shortness of breath with exercise and your cough are continuing, your doctor should see you to find out the nature of the problem and the best treatment. A pulmonologist would be the type of specialist to identify a lung or if there is a heart problem and the best treatment.
In addition to a lung problem, ongoing cough and shortness of breath could be due to a heart problem. Another possible cause is allergy. An ongoing cough can be a side effect of a group of medicines used to treat high blood pressure called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, but from the information that you have given this would not explain your shortness of breath. In a person who has a normal chest x-ray and who doesn’t smoke the other common causes of cough are postnasal drip and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Since your shortness of breath with exercise and your cough are continuing, your doctor should see you to find out the nature of the problem and the best treatment. A pulmonologist would be the type of specialist to identify a lung or if there is a heart problem and the best treatment.
Member Comments (3)
by ozark, May 02, 2003 12:00AM
have you been worked up for asthma? it can present itself in this way good luck
by ozark, May 02, 2003 12:00AM
have you been worked up for asthma? it can present itself in this way good luck
