Asthma Symptoms May Lead To Fatigue
Response from Lyn Harper, MPA, BSRT, RRT:
Yes! A person may be fatigued from the strain caused by labored breathing and shortness of breath. Quite simply, being unable to catch your breath is exhausting! However, you may also experience fatigue from lack of sleep due to other asthma symptoms coughing, anxiety, and shortness of breath. Fatigue is also a symptom of oxygen levels in the blood being low, which can happen when were experiencing an exacerbation of symptoms.2
Response from John Bottrell, RRT:
Asthma affects every asthmatic differently. For some of us, feeling tired is an early warning symptom. When you feel it, you know its time to take swift actions to prevent a full-fledged asthma attack. This is true even when you have controlled asthma.
Fatigue may be more common when asthma is poorly controlled. In such cases, asthma can affect your sleep. And, just feeling short of breath can make you feel tired, even exhausted. So, its always a good idea to pay attention to what your body is saying earlier rather than later.2
The earlier you take action the easier it is to reverse this and other symptoms, so you can feel normal once again. Its also a good idea to work with your doctor to develop a daily treatment regimen so you dont feel this symptom very often. Plus, its also a good idea to work with your doctor on developing a plan so you know what to do when you feel this and other asthma symptoms.
Who Can Get Asthma
Anyone can develop asthma at any age. People with allergies or people exposed to tobacco smoke and secondhand smoke are more likely to develop asthma.
Statistics show women tend to have asthma more than men, and asthma affects Black Americans more frequently than other races.
When a child develops asthma, healthcare providers call it childhood asthma. If it develops later in life, its adult-onset asthma.
Children do not outgrow asthma. They may have fewer symptoms as they get older, but they could still have an asthma attack. Your childs healthcare provider can help you understand the risks.
Natural Treatment For Shortness Of Breath
Shortness of breath can be triggered by illness and fatigue, but it can also be a symptom of a serious underlying condition. Serious heart conditions such as heart attack, heart disease, and heart failure can all cause shortness of breath.
Medical treatment will be required for serious conditions, as treatment will prevent serious damage and death. There are also natural treatments you can use to support heart health and reduce risks.
Niacin, or vitamin B3, is proven to support heart health in several ways. This essential vitamin naturally lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, both of which are risk factors for heart attack and heart failure. High cholesterol increases the risk of clogged and damaged arteries, and niacin prevents this. By also lowering blood pressure, niacin protects the heart and blood vessels from stress and damage that can trigger heart failure.
Another beneficial and natural ingredient is red yeast rice. This fermented rice contains compounds that lower cholesterol and work as effectively as the top prescription medications. Red yeast rice also lowers blood pressure and blood glucose levels naturally.
Blood glucose levels are important to heart health, as those with diabetes have a significant risk of heart failure. High blood glucose levels damage heart tissues, and red yeast rice can prevent this by naturally controlling these levels.
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Take A Preventative Stance
If youre especially sensitive to springtime allergens, use air conditioning in the house and car to limit your exposure. If youve been outdoors, wash your hair and clothes when you get home to get rid of those allergens. Clear your nasal passages with a Neti pot or other nasal irrigation method. Indoors, try to clear your house of allergens that trigger you.
When Is It Abnormal
Some breathlessness is normal, such as after hard exercising or when you have a stuffy nose. However, it is a problem when it is greater than expected for a given level of physical effort.1
If shortness of breath continues for more than a month, it is considered chronic.1 Shortness of breath also can come on suddenly. Breathlessness is a symptom of many different conditions, so your medical history and a physical examination will provide important clues to the cause. For about two-thirds of patients, the signs and symptoms are enough to make an accurate diagnosis.1 Occasionally, additional tests may be needed.
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Why Have Your Asthma Symptoms Got Worse
Before your appointment, have a think about your symptoms and why you think theyve got worse. Itll help you and your GP to work out whats going on with your asthma.
Ask yourself these questions to help you:
Have I been taking my preventer inhaler every day?
Preventer medicines stop inflammation building up in your airways. But they can only do this if you take them every day.
If you stop taking them you wont have full protection. And your symptoms will come back.
Have you been taking yours every day? Or have you found it hard to get into a good routine?
Do I know the best way to take my inhalers?
Even if youve been taking an inhaler for years, its easy to slip into bad habits. If you havent been taking your inhaler correctly you will have been missing out on the full dose of asthma medicine.
Are you confident youre taking your inhalers in the right way? Watch our inhaler videos to see if youre doing it right. And ask your GP or asthma nurse to check it at your appointment.
Have I been around more of my usual asthma triggers?
Maybe youve caught a cold, or its pollen season and your hay fevers bad. Think about your usual triggers and if they might be affecting you more.
Have I come across a new trigger?
Have you been around an animal or pet? Did you start a new job, or go on holiday? Tell your doctor if youve spotted a new trigger. They can help you deal with it.
What else has been going on in my life lately?
Have I noticed hormonal changes?
How Severe Is The Asthma
Asthma symptoms can range from an occasional, slight urge to cough to extreme shortness of breath during an attack. Asthma used to be classified into four general severity categories, mostly depending on how frequent and how severe the symptoms were. Nowadays, asthma symptoms tend to be assessed based on how effectively they are being managed. According to this approach, there are three levels of severity: controlled, partly controlled, and uncontrolled asthma.
This classification is based on factors such as
- how many times a week someone has symptoms during the day,
- how much their daily activities are affected by the ,
- whether they also have symptoms at night, and
- how much the affects their lung function.
The frequency of acute episodes with shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and chest tightness is also taken into account.
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Difference Between Allergies And Asthma
Asthma and allergies can be confused, so its important to understand the differences between them, Dr. Adrish says. Asthma is a condition that typically involves the lungs/airways, while allergies can involve many different organs such as skin, mucous membranes, eyes, sinuses, and stomach. Allergic symptoms may be localized to certain organs or involve several body parts simultaneously, depending on the extent of the exposure or severity of patients response to the offending agent, Dr. Adrish says.
The Quality Of The Sensation And What It Might Mean
Many things contribute to a sensation of shortness of breath,7 and the symptom breaks down into three messily overlapping qualities, which are interesting but dont tell us much about whats going on, just a couple rough clues:
- Effort: a sensation of excessive work or effort to breathe, like breathing is just a slog. It is loosely associated with impairment of the muscular function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease .
- Tightness: feeling tight may involve actual contstriction of airways as would occur in the early stages of an asthma attack . However, tightness can also be caused by actual spasticity of respiratory muscles, which could be ordinary muscle pain or more serious, like the infamous squeezing hug of multiple sclerosis.
- Air hunger: the most complex sensation, unsatisfied inspiration is described by patients in many ways, like starved for air or my breaths feel too small. Of the treatable causes, it is most clearly associated with anxiety. Although it sure doesnt feel like it, it can occur without any actual loss of respiratory capacity.
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Mechanical Factors: Dynamic Hyperinflation
a) Inspiratory capacity in asthmatics with and without expiratory flow limitation at various levels of exercise, expressed as a percentage of maximal work rate . Patients with EFL developed a progressive decline in IC with increasing work rate. Data are presented as mean±sd. *: p=0.05 #: p=0.03. b) Relationship between maximal oxygen uptake and change in IC from rest to 90% of WRmax. Each data-point represents a single patient. The regression equation is y=84+0.3x±11 , r=0.48, p=0.03. c) Asthmatic patients with EFL during exercise tended to have a higher Borg dyspnoea score throughout exercise compared to non-EFL asthmatics. EFL patients started to experience higher dyspnoea at 66% WRmax, while those without EFL experienced higher dyspnoea scores at 90% WRmax. Data are presented as mean±sd. Reproduced and modified from with permission.
When To Seek Medical Help
Most abdominal bloating should resolve itself with time when the excess gases, liquids, or food can move through the stomach and intestines. However, if your abdominal bloating and shortness of breath last longer than a day, seek medical attention.
The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you need help finding a primary care doctor.
Also seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following symptoms along with shortness of breath and abdominal bloating:
Medical treatments for abdominal bloating and shortness of breath will address the underlying condition. For example, over-the-counter medications may help resolve abdominal bloating. Bronchodilators can help to open the airways and improve breathing.
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What Does Asthma Feel Like
Asthma is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes with increased production of sticky secretions inside the tubes. People with asthma experience symptoms when the airways tighten, inflame, or fill with mucus. Common asthma symptoms include:
- Coughing, especially at night
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness, pain, or pressure
Still, not every person with asthma has the same symptoms in the same way. You may not have all of these symptoms, or you may have different symptoms at different times. Your asthma symptoms may also vary from one asthma attack to the next, being mild during one and severe during another.
Some people with asthma may go for extended periods without having any symptoms, interrupted by periodic worsening of their symptoms called asthma attacks. Others might have asthma symptoms every day. In addition, some people may only have asthma during exercise, or asthma with viral infections like colds.
Mild asthma attacks are generally more common. Usually, the airways open up within a few minutes to a few hours. Severe attacks are less common but last longer and require immediate medical help. It is important to recognize and treat even mild asthma symptoms to help you prevent severe episodes and keep asthma under better control.
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How Can My Doctor Manage Shortness Of Breath
Your doctor will help you manage dyspnea by first identifying and then treating the condition causing your breathing trouble. Depending on the underlying condition, your treatment may include:
- Exercise: Improving your physical fitness can strengthen your heart and lungs. Better overall health can help you feel less winded during activity. Even with a heart or lung condition, cardiovascular rehabilitation might help. The provider might also suggest that you learn breathing techniques.
- Medication: Inhaled drugs called bronchodilators can relax your airways in asthma and in COPD. Medication to relieve pain or anxiety can ease breathlessness.
- Oxygen therapy: Receiving extra oxygen through a mask or tube in the nostrils can help you breathe more comfortably. This is only appropriate when the blood oxygen level is measured by a healthcare professional and shown to be low.
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What Should I Do If I Think I Have Asthma
If you suspect you might have asthma, you should see your doctor for a professional diagnosis. Dont ignore it if you do have asthma, the sooner you get it under control, the faster you can get back to living a full and active life. For more information on how Asthma Australia is helping people with asthma to breathe so they can live freely, visit About Us.
Can Anxiety Make You Forget To Breathe
You may have experienced episodes that made it feel nearly impossible to catch your breath. Its frightening and very real. Anxiety can affect your ability to breathe and the way you breathe can also influence your anxiety levels. You can take control of the way you breathe to minimize anxiety breathing symptoms.
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Limitations In Exertional Dyspnoea Measurement
Linguistic and cultural variations in descriptors presented to subjects and linguistic differences in dyspnoea labelling could also explain differences between the Italian study by Lavenezianaet al. and the Canadian study by Lougheedet al. , in which inspiratory difficulty predominated during methacholine challenge. It is also important to recognise that the studies discussed above provided no data on the reproducibility or consistency of dyspnoea descriptors in individual patients for a given stimulus. Furthermore, these dyspnoea descriptors may not be specific for asthma and could reflect concurrent laryngeal dysfunction, hyperventilation or dysfunctional breathing . Dyspnoea quantification during incremental or constant work rate cycle exercise testing may not reproduce the type of effort or correlate with symptoms encountered during activities in daily life.
Diagnosing The Cause Of Wheezing
Your doctor will ask you questions like:
- How long have you been wheezing?
- Does it happen when you exercise?
- Do you wheeze all the time?
- Do you wheeze more during the day, or at night?
- Does rest help control it?
- Do you wheeze when you breathe in, or out, or both in and out?
- Do you smoke?
- Do certain foods seem to cause your wheezing?
Theyâll listen to your breathing and the sounds your lungs make. They might do tests like:
- X-rays to get a picture of your lungs
- Lung function tests to see how well theyâre working
- Blood test to check your oxygen levels.
If your child is wheezing, their doctor might check to see if theyâve swallowed or inhaled something small.
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When To See A Specialist About Your Asthma
Asthma is not always easy to diagnose, Fineman says, but you should see your doctor if youre having repeated episodes of wheezing and coughing or shortness of breath. If you’re diagnosed with the condition, work with your doctor to develop an asthma management and action plan.
Although your primary care doctor may be able to diagnose and treat your asthma, if your symptoms dont respond to a first-line therapy of inhaled corticosteroids and short-acting bronchodilators, Asciuto recommends that you see a lung specialist or allergy and asthma specialist.
How Does Asthma Affect You Physically
When you experience a trigger, the insides of your airways swell even more. This narrows the space for air to move in and out of the lungs. The muscles that wrap around your airways also can tighten, making breathing even harder. When that happens, its called an asthma flare-up, asthma episode or asthma attack.
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When To See Your Doctor
If your shortness of breath is accompanied by fever, chest pain, tightness in the throat, and wheezing, then you could be experiencing angina or a heart attack. These combinations of symptoms require immediate attention.
In general, if you are experiencing shortness of breath for no obvious reason like exercise, or it is on-going and frequent, speak with your doctor right away. Uncovering and treating the underlying cause will be the only way to correct the shortness of breath.
In This Article
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a progressive inflammation of the lungs that makes breathing difficult. It is caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases and/or dust particles, most often cigarette smoke.
Symptoms may take years to develop. They include a chronic cough with mucus , wheezing, chest tightness, fatigue, constant colds, swollen ankles, and cyanosis Depression is often a factor due to reduced quality of life.
Treatment is important because there is a greater risk of heart disease and lung cancer in COPD patients. Though the condition cannot be cured, it can be managed to reduce risks and allow good quality of life.
COPD is commonly misdiagnosed and so careful testing is done. Diagnosis is made through patient history physical examination lung function tests blood tests and chest x-ray or CT scan.
Treatment involves quitting smoking and avoiding exposure to other lung irritants use of inhalers to ease symptoms steroids lung therapies and getting influenza and pneumonia vaccines as recommended.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: fatigue, cough and dyspnea related to smoking, cough, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping
Symptoms that always occur with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : cough and dyspnea related to smoking
Symptoms that never occur with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : rectal bleeding
Urgency: Primary care doctor
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