should i get checked out?

[trillian_069]

im 26 year old woman.  I always get lingering coughs when I've had a cold or flu.  Ive noticed i do often feel a bit faint or out of breath, and feel like my heart is beating too fast (my heart is ok though, ive had heart echo recently).  I cycle to university and sometimes I will just feel quite short of breath while riding (which is odd as I expect I should be getting fitter).  Just  riding home tonight i felt a bit short of breath although actually not too badly, weird in my chest, and felt quite faint - not normal for some light cycling!

I am prone to eczema but dont have any major allergies I know of, although my brother had severe food allergies and cat allergy.

do you think it is worth getting this looked at, could it be asthma?  should I try a Ventolin and see?  I remember an endocrinologist gave me a Ventolin about 10 years ago due to a lingering cough

[Judy246]

Hi...you are feeling faint due to lack of oxgen and asthma is characterized by feeling tightness in your chest, brocial tubes fill with mucus and airway constriction, it feel like you are breathing thru a straw, wheezing, tight cough (very uncomfortable) and difficulty breathing.  Only your physician can evaluate and recommend treatment. Please don't wait until you feel faint again. Asthma is life threatening, but it doesn't sound like asthma, please get it checked out immediately and let us know how you are coming along.

[ChitChatNine]

I would see your Dr and get a script for any type of athma med vs. self-medicating.  Could be something ventolin might be able to help, but may need more or less and only your Dr can really help you with this . ... it's hard online .

WELCOME to our Asthma Community!

C~