What Causes Pain In Left Arm Down To The Elbow During An Asthma Attack?

Posted on Tue, 15 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 15 Apr 2014 Answered on

Tue, 6 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : On occasion, at the time I am in the midst of having an asthma attack, I experience a numbing pain in my left arm down to the elbow, in particular.

Answered by Dr. Prahlad Duggal (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Descriptive Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for the query. There can be to reasons for this. During an asthma attack, the person tries to breath forcefully and exerts some effort for that which can put some pressure on the nerves passing from the cervical part of spinal cord. This can lead to some numbness in the arm or hand and if there is pre-existing osteophytes in the cervical vertebrae on the left side, this can lead to more symptoms on left side. An orthopedic examination help in this. The other reason can be some cardiac problem which gets worsened during the asthmatic attack and can lead to abnormal sensation on the left side and arm. A complete cardiac evaluation will help in this. Both these explanations are just a possibility which can be thought of from your explanation of symptoms. So, please get an Xray cervical spine and complete cardiac evaluation. Feel free to ask another query. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Prahlad Duggal (9 hours later)

I do not try to forcibly breath when having an asthma attack. I use the rescue inhaler, sit down or lie down and try to remain calm with easy breathing as is allowed. I frequently need to take more than one inhale of the Pro Air inhaler before the lung spasm begins to subside. The dull aching pain engulfs the left arm with the focus at the elbow area. Does that help clarify my situation? Additional question: When pain in the left arm with a heart attack, what actually causes the pain in the arm? Thanks

Answered by Dr. Prahlad Duggal (10 hours later)

Brief Answer: Descriptive Detailed Answer: Thanks for the query. I do not mean to convey a heart attack by my description but some ischemia or discomfort can be there. The heart attack pain typically is described as pain chest radiating to the left arm and pain is caused by ischemia. I am advising you a cardiac examination to rule out something serious, otherwise your pain or sensation is not explainable by just asthmatic attack. Feel free to ask another query. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj