Can Bronchial Asthma Cause Neck Back And Shoulder Pain
Definitely! Bronchial asthma can cause neck and shoulder pain and in some cases upper back pain also.
Many times it has been seen that people suffering from muscle tightness take it as a symptom of some other additional disease.
But the truth is, it may be due to the asthma symptoms.
Studies showed that if you are already suffering from bronchial asthma and are also experiencing frequent painful sensation in your shoulders and neck area, then this is most of the times due to Bronchial asthma itself.
Consulting an additional chiropractor can only lead to confusion and maybe consumption of additional medicines, which is most of the times not required.
So, it is always better to understand the symptoms well and its probable causes which will help you in clearing the confusion. Then you can get the right treatment type based on your condition.
Experts suggest that relieving your asthma symptoms can be more beneficial in relieving the neck or back pain problems, rather than getting the direct treatment for your spinal pain.
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Can Asthma Be Prevented
Asthma cant be prevented entirely, but there are some practical ways to reduce the risk of an asthma attack and live well with asthma.
- Get vaccinated for influenza: flu and other respiratory viruses are common triggers for asthma.
- Manage any allergies: asthma and allergies are closely linked, so treating allergic rhinitis and avoiding or managing any allergy triggers will help with your asthma.
- Live smoke-free: quit smoking if you smoke, and avoid any second-hand smoke .
- Eat well: a balanced diet helps you to maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese makes asthma harder to manage.
- Care for yourself: mental health and asthma are linked, so let a trusted friend or your doctor know if you have been feeling sad or anxious, or dont enjoy things as much as before.
- See your doctor regularly: asthma needs to be regularly assessed and managed, and your medication needs may change over time. Ensure your asthma action plan is up to date by checking in with your doctor regularly.
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Is Chest Pain A Symptom Of Asthma
Asthma can cause symptoms that include coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Some people can also experience a sense of chest tightness or chest pain as a result of their asthma symptoms.
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in a person’s airways, which can make it harder to breathe. People often experience chest pain after an asthma attack if their airways are especially inflamed and constricted.
It is essential that people with asthma understand which chest pain related symptoms might occur so they can seek treatment, if necessary.
Can Allergies Cause Chest Pains
Did you have pain in the chest this past Valentines Day? That feeling might not be a broken heart.
Chest pain is a symptom of allergies and allergy-related conditions. Pain in the center of the chest that feels like squeezing along with pain in the arms, back, neck, or jaw can be a heart attack. Thats when you need to call 911.
But if you have a persistent tightness in the larger chest area, it may be a condition related to allergies.
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Allergic Asthma: Symptoms And Treatment
Ashley A. Sullivan, MSN FNPStudent, Samuel Merritt University, Oakland, CaRN, California Pacific Medical Center
Natalya M. Kushnir, MDDirector, Allergy and immunology Clinic of East BayBerkeley, CA
H. Henry Li, MD, PhDFAAAAI, FACAAIInstitute for Asthma and AllergyWheaton and Chevy Chase Maryland
Michael A. Kaliner, MD FAAAAIMedical Director, Institute for Asthma and AllergyChevy Chase and Wheaton, MarylandProfessor of Medicine, George Washington University School of MedicineWashington DC
History And Physical Examination
Your physical examination will include checking your vital signs, such as your temperature, pulse, and breathing rate. A fever can be an indication of an infection. Rapid breathing or a rapid heart rate can be a sign of a severe infection or an impending asthma attack.
Your doctor will listen to your breathing sounds with a stethoscope, which will help determine whether your congestion is on one side of the lungs or both.
- Generally, with asthma and allergies, congestion affects both lungs.
- Congestion can be limited to one lung or one section of a lung when there is another cause, such as an infection.
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Know The Asthma Symptoms In Children
Asthma affects as many as 10% to 12% of children in the United States and is the leading cause of chronic illness in children. For unknown reasons, the incidence of asthma in children is steadily increasing. While asthma symptoms can begin at any age, most children have their first asthma symptoms by age 5.
Not all children with asthma wheeze. Chronic coughing with asthma may be the only obvious sign, and a childâs asthma may go unrecognized if the cough is attributed to recurrent bronchitis.
For more detail, see WebMDâs Asthma in Children.
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Having chest pain can be a frightening experience that causes much unwanted anxiety. Of course, theres no way to have a relaxed episode of chest pain. Chest pain scares everyone and its helpful to be as informed as well. If you have time, besides the comprehensive list below, please also check out our interview with a renowned Harvard professor on ways to differentiate heart attack or normal tightness in chest.
The good news is that most causes of chest pain are not nearly as serious as the pain might suggest. Often, chest pains are a cause of an unresolved anxiety or panic attack disorder, heartburn or gastric distress, GERD, IBS, and other issues.
However, sudden chest pain that comes out of nowhere, when you havent eaten recently and have not experienced some type of great physical or mental traumaespecially if the pain is sudden, sharp, recurring and fading, or is accompanied by any numbing of the limbsthen, please, take no chances! Get help!
The following list of chest pain and its possible causes will explain whats normal and whats not in terms of chest pain.
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Common Symptoms For These People *:
* Approximation only. Some reports may have incomplete information.
How Is It Evaluated
If chest discomfort is your main symptom, the first step is to rule out a life-threatening problem.2 Your provider will focus on questions such as:4
- When did the pain or discomfort start?
- How has it changed?
- Where do you feel the pain?
- How would you describe the pain?
- What factors make it better or worse?
Your initial evaluation may include an electrocardiogram and chest x-ray, unless there is an obvious and non-threatening cause of chest discomfort.4 Your provider probably will not even consider asthma until he or she is sure that you do not have an immediately threatening condition.2
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What Are The Symptoms Of An Asthma Cough
Cough variant asthma or an asthma cough is usually known to have no other symptom apart from a chronic dry and nonproductive cough. A nonproductive cough means that it does not produce any mucus. Lasting for more than 8 to 10 weeks in adults and more than 5 weeks in children, an asthma cough is not considered to be a serious condition on its own. However, a chronic cough is irritating and disrupts your daily life.
Sometimes, to understand whether or not your cough is happening due to asthma, doctors may assess if you have any of these related symptoms:
- Trouble exercising
- Wheezing and chest tightness
Keep in mind that it is necessary to treat an asthma cough properly and in time because if it is left untreated and ignored, then it may progress into regular asthma. If you notice the following symptoms, your asthma cough might well be developing into classic asthma:
- Tightness feeling in the chest
- Difficulty in breathing followed by shortness of breath
- Asthma attacks when you feel that the air is not able to reach your lungs due to the narrowing of the airways
What Is An Asthma Action Plan
Your healthcare provider will work with you to develop an asthma action plan. This plan tells you how and when to use your medicines. It also tells you what to do if your asthma gets worse and when to seek emergency care. Understand the plan and ask your healthcare provider about anything you dont understand.
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What Are Common Asthma Attack Triggers
An asthma attack happens when someone comes in contact with substances that irritate them. Healthcare providers call these substances triggers. Knowing what triggers your asthma makes it easier to avoid asthma attacks.
For some people, a trigger can bring on an attack right away. Sometimes, an attack may start hours or days later.
Triggers can be different for each person. But some common triggers include:
- Air pollution: Many things outside can cause an asthma attack. Air pollution includes factory emissions, car exhaust, wildfire smoke and more.
- Dust mites: You cant see these bugs, but they are in many homes. If you have a dust mite allergy, they can cause an asthma attack.
- Exercise: For some people, exercising can cause an attack.
- Mold: Damp places can spawn mold. It can cause problems for people with asthma. You dont even have to be allergic to mold to have an attack.
- Pests: Cockroaches, mice and other household pests can cause asthma attacks.
- Pets: Your pets can cause asthma attacks. If youre allergic to pet dander , breathing in the dander can irritate your airways.
- Tobacco smoke: If you or someone in your home smokes, you have a higher risk of developing asthma. The best solution is to quit smoking.
- Strong chemicals or smells.
With asthma, you may not have all of these symptoms. You may have different signs at different times. And symptoms can change between asthma attacks.
How Do Healthcare Providers Diagnose Asthma
Your healthcare provider will review your medical history, including information about your parents and siblings. Your provider will also ask you about your symptoms. Your provider will need to know any history of allergies, eczema and other lung diseases.
Your healthcare provider may order a chest X-ray, blood test or skin test. Your provider may order spirometry. This test measures airflow through your lungs.
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How Is Asthma Prevented And Treated
There is no cure for asthma. Control symptoms by taking asthma medicines and avoiding your triggers. With proper treatment and an asthma management plan, you can reduce your symptoms and enjoy a better quality of life.
Talk to your health care provider about your asthma symptoms and be sure to discuss any changes in your asthma management or status.
Does Asthma Cause Chest Pain
The coughing and wheezing experienced during an asthma attack can lead to chest discomfort afterward. When this occurs, a person should consider their symptoms, noting, for example, whether their chest is sore or whether they are feeling a sharp pain.
Two primary medical conditions can cause chest pain following an asthma attack: pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax.
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How Common Is Chest Pain In People With Asthma
Chest pain or tightness is common in people with asthma. In one emergency department survey, 76 percent of people with asthma reported chest pain.
Chest pain is known as a subjective symptom. A subjective symptom is one that doctors cant measure. Instead, they must rely on a description of the pain.
This symptom is usually one of many that someone with asthma experiences. However, a study published in 2013 suggested that chest tightness may be the only symptom for some people with asthma.
When To Be Concerned About Shoulder Pain
It can take some time for shoulder pain to settle, perhaps weeks or months. In general, if your shoulder pain has not begun to settle in a week or two, or if it worsens over time, then it may be worthwhile seeing an experienced doctor or health practitioner.
If you find that you need stronger medication to manage your shoulder pain, discuss this with your doctor. You may need a referral to a specialist.
Note: Shoulder pain or discomfort around the front of one or both of the shoulders can be a sign of a heart attack. It is often described as an ache, heaviness or pressure sensation spreading from the chest to the shoulders. This requires immediate medical attention. Call 000 immediately if you are experiencing these symptoms.
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Frightening Symptoms Of Anxiety
Chest tightness is an anxiety symptom that often causes a severe amount of distress. That is because chest tightness has a negative connotation that links it to severe health conditions. This can be very daunting for individuals who do not know much about the physical effects of stress and anxiety in their lives.
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Does Having Phlegm Mean My Asthma Is Getting Worse
Coughing up more phlegm than usual could be a sign that your airways are inflamed. This means your airways get narrower and this can cause other asthma symptoms, like:
- coughing
- wheezing
- breathlessness.
If you have more asthma symptoms than usual, your reliever inhaler will help open up your airways. But remember, if youre using your reliever inhaler more than three times a week, you need to see your doctor.
Taking your daily preventer inhaler as prescribed should help reduce the inflammation thats causing your asthma symptoms. Find out more about how preventer inhalers help asthma.
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What Is Acute Bronchitis
Bronchitis is inflammation of the breathing tubes. These airways are called bronchi. This inflammation causes increased mucus production and other changes. Although there are several different types of bronchitis, the most common are acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis may also be called a chest cold.
Most symptoms of acute bronchitis last for up to 2 weeks. The cough can last for up to 8 weeks in some people. Chronic bronchitis lasts a long time. It is more common among smokers.
What Are The Symptoms Of Asthma
While symptoms vary from person to person, the most common signs of mild asthma include:
- difficulty breathing feeling breathless, even while resting, or being unable to finish full sentences before needing to take another breath
- wheezing making a whistling sound while breathing
- coughing either at specific times or after certain activities
During a severe asthma attack, you may notice more serious symptoms, such as:
- feeling very distressed, exhausted or even limp from trying to breathe
- deep sucking motions at the throat or chest while trying to breathe
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Another Doctors Take On Angina Symptoms Vs Asthma From Exercise
Angina is a pain in the chest that may spread to the shoulders, arms or neck, says Walter Gaman, MD, FABFM, board certified in family medicine and the author of several award-winning books including Age to Perfection: How to Thrive to 100, Happy, Healthy, and Wise.
So right off the bat, if chest pain is accompanied by shoulder, arm or neck pain, this points heavily to angina.
But not all angina episodes involve the shoulder, arms or neck. Sometimes theres just the chest pain.
Its caused when the heart is not supplied with an adequate amount of blood, says Dr. Gaman.
The heart needs oxygen to work properly, and oxygen gets to the heart through the blood. This pain is associated with underlying coronary artery disease where the vessels of the heart have narrowing.
Angina is generally relieved with nitroglycerin and does not usually present with shortness of breath.
But that doesnt mean shortness of breath is not impossible with clogged arteries.
Sometimes, coronary artery disease will make itself known via feeling you cant get enough oxygen.
For example, a walk to the corner mailbox suddenly feels like you just walked up several flights of stairs: Youre uncharacteristically short of breath.
Many patients mistake angina for indigestion, adds Dr. Gaman. Because the heart requires more oxygen and more blood during exercise, angina may present during exercise or times of stress.
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Ways To Reduce Chest Pressure
When you are experiencing chest pressure and/or tightness, the key is to try to figure out the potential causes. Once you deem anxiety to be the cause of the symptom, the next goal is to stop it. See the following examples:
- Hyperventilation: Try to get your breathing under control by taking slower, deeper breaths and not trying to over-breathe or breathe too fast. When youre experiencing hyperventilation, you may feel as though youre not getting enough air, but hyperventilation occurs when you have expelled more CO2 than you make. So breathing more slowly helps to rebuild those CO2 levels.
- Bloating/Heartburn: If you can potentially reduce/prevent any gas, do so. You may also want to consider taking an antacid or drinking water, which may help with bloating or heartburn. Heartburn can be improved by eating more slowly, decreasing the amounts of spicy foods you consume, and staying upright for at least 30 minutes after eating. Also, avoid heartburn-inducing foods like peppermint, chocolate, coffee or caffeinated beverages, tomatoes, alcohol, and citrus fruits
- Muscle Strain: Be mindful of lifting or carrying items that are too heavy. Make sure to stretch and warm up your muscles before doing any strenuous activities.
These are only temporary fixes. Remember that your chest pressure and/or tightness is often related to some type of anxiety issue or anxiety disorder. That means that the only way to prevent the chest pressure from returning is to learn to manage your anxiety.
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