A question about asthma?

Question

So, I'm fourteen, and last year my doctor told me I had asthma. Well, I wasn't so bad back then, but now, it's so hard to breathe, and at the most random times. Like, I can't breathe before I go to sleep, or when I wake up in th morning, it feels like I just ran a mile. Also, I feel my asthma getting worse, like I try to exercise more and open up my lungs, but every time I do, it gets worse and worse. I don't really know much about asthma, so that maybe a problem. But, does anyone know why this could be happening? Is it my lack of knowledge, or somthing serious?

Answer 1

I have a number of serious concerns as much about your asthma management, or rather lack of it, as your disease.

Xopenex is an American/Canadian drug, not available in the UK. It is a short acting B2 agonist, ( duration 2-3 hours,) and as such I would argue it is not in fact a TREATMENT for asthma, merely a drug for relief of symptoms that has no effect at all on the disease process. In the UK this type of medication is called a 'RELIEVER.'

You describe chronic, regular symptoms. These require what is known in UK as a 'PREVENTER'. These days these are really always ICS, inhaled corticosteroids. They are taken on a continuous basis, usually twice a day, whether you are symptomatic or not. They are often combined, in the same inhaler, with a long acting B2 drug. Drugs like Xopenex HFA can be added to the regime for break through symptoms. However the aerosol form that you have been prescribed is difficult to use, with less than 50% of patients able to use it properly with any degree of consistancy. In general dry powder or even at a push 'autohalers.' are much to be prefered.

I suggest that you either consider finding a more astute primary care physician or ideally seek out a specialist respiratory physician.

Exercise is very good for asthatics and you should be able to enjoy this once your disease has been properly controlled. It helps improve your underlying pulmonary function.

Answer 2

do you have a puffer like ventolin.

whenever i go to sleep i try to lift my head high like on a stack of pillows.

you should always have warm clothes on and socks.

Answer 3

New cancer, I don't have an answer for you.  Some scientists say the great rise in asthma is due to being too clean?  Some think if kids are too clean, and don't get dirty, their immune systems over react with syndromes like asthma?  

Won't help you at night when you're trying to go to sleep, but strong black coffee has been shown to be a natural way to help attacks?  

Some other ideas?  I ain't a doctor, so investigate these suggestions before you try them?  Asthma, like a lot of different syndromes, has to do with autoimmune inflammation I think?  Stuff like fish oil, aspirin (be careful with this one.); and virgin olive oil; are suppose to be anti-inflammatory???  Doubt it will cure you, but it might help?  Backing off on the salt, hydrogenated oils, will probably help too?  

Answer 4

Just a thought but have you ever been allergy tested? For some people an allergy to something can bring on an attack. As you seem to get it when in bed at night, and it's bad in the morning maybe you are allergic to dust mites, or possibly animal fur if you have any pets sleeping on your bed during the day. If you haven't been allergy tested it might be worth asking your GP re having one.

Also can help to hoover bedroom and bed  every day and see if this helps.

Answer 5

Exercising more won't help your asthma. Asthma attacks occur when your throat effectively closes up and you can breath in, but not out. Exercise won't change that.

Go back and see your GP and tell them that the symptoms are worsening, and that you would like to recieve increased dosage of your medication, or alternative suggestions to alleviate some of the problems (try taking one dose of Ventolin prior to sleep and see if that helps, although clear it with a medical professional first)

Answer 6

Tell your parents/guardians to tell your doctor about this. I have chemically-induced asthma and know what it feels like to not be able to breathe. If your problems are worsening, that is not good and you need to nip this in the bud as soon as possible.

Ask your parents if you can see an asthma specialist, not a general family doctor. Asthma specialists are also known as respiratory specialists. A specialist will be able to help you much more than just a general doctor.

Answer 7

Im asthmatic but never really had any issues with it. Asthma is i remember correctly is like a blockage in your breathing line, there are a number of drugs that should be taken. Ventolin when ever you are having breathing problems (its just inhaled through a puffer) and that will quickly release the pressures your having when breathing, and Becatide (Also a puffer) which should be taken daily and helps reduce the likelihood of having breathing difficulties. Your increasing asthma problems are a direct result from your increased exercise. That is when asthma will effect you most, during and after exercise. But that shouldn't scare you from exercising as you need to do that. So use your ventolin during exercise. Theres not really much you can do about asthma, ive grown out of it, hopefully you will too!

Answer 8

Did they give you an albuterol inhaler to use? Or Advair inhaler? Sounds like it is getting worse - & working out will only make it worse unless you have a rescue inhaler to open you up.

Answer 9

My son has had asthma for the past 6 years, along with severe atopic eczema, severe nuts and dust mites allergies. He uses a preventative inhaler morning and evening and a relief inhaler when he requires it but he also takes a tablet every night. The tablet really helps or he would start to become short of breath as soon as he goes out and runs about. Make an appointment to see an asthma nurse, you should have a yearly check up too to check if the medications you are using are working for you. At any time you have a problem go to see your doctor.  

Answer 10

Your asthma is obviously uncontrolled. You probably require a preventative as well as a reliever. If you're worse at night (which is often a symptom of asthma diagnosis) the perhaps you have a dust allergy. Try hoovering your room daily, or at least a couple of times per week, hoover around the mattress edges - you'll be surprised how much white dust you collect (its dead skin and house dust mite) The house dust mites faeces is so light if floats in the air causing you to inhale it and wheeze - its not a dirty thing to have, everyone has house dust mite.

You may also feel more wheezy when you are under stress, taking exams, changing temperatures ie in the winter going from indoors to outdoors.

Try to remember the times you become worse, or jot it down, take it to your asthma nurse / GP and that should treat you accordingly - as with most chronic asthmatics   they may give a mild steroid preventative inhaler.

All the best.

Answer 11

I have been where you are now, dealing with asthma symptoms that make it almost impossible to function.  You are probably being triggered by external factors in your household environment (like dust, mold, dust mites, etc) and that can leave you feeling awful too. What you need is to see a specialist called a pulmonologist.  This doctor will test you to see how bad your asthma actually is, how well your lungs are taking in air and see if there are any structural abnormalities making your asthma worse.  He/she will also be able to give you medication that will help open your airways properly (you will feel so much better once this is done).  It sounds like you are depending only on your rescue inhaler and that can be part of the problem.  You need a maintenance inhaler that you use twice daily (usually advair, flovent, or symbicort). I hope that you feel better soon...Good luck!

Answer 12

Asthma is a medical problem related to breathing. Try using "Pranayam" technique given in Yoga.

Answer 13

Try keeping your room as free from dust as you possibly can.  That means:

wash curtains every week, (better still, have blinds that can be wiped)

vacuum carpets a couple of times a week (wooden or laminate flooring

is better as it can be mopped)

get rid of cushions, soft toys (or at least wash them every week)

KEEP PETS OUT OF ROOM

wipe everything witha damp cloth every few days......furniture, shelves, windowsills

keep room ventilated

NEVER SMOKE (if you do smoke, stop it)

get anti-allergy bedding, mattress, duvet etc.

Vacuum the mattress every week, to get rid of dust mites etc