Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Can Asthma Cause Constant Chest Pain?
I am 42 year old female, average weight and height, not obese, fit and active. I have recently been diagnosed asthmatic (approx 2/3 weeks ago) having had breathlessness for several months. I have been prescribed seretide (purple inhlaer) 25/125 twice a day as wall as ventolin (blue inhlaer) - I am finding I am needing the ventolin at least twice a day still. For about 4/5 days now I have had pain in the topf of my chest around about breastbone which is persistent and feels like someone is standing on my chest. I don't have wheeziness but do still get a bit out of breath when rushing around. I take hayfever tables and have been told this is what has triggered the asthma. I am concerned about the chest pain as it is constant - I saw doctor last week and he just said I was anxious and nothing to worry about but it is getting me down now. Do I need to see another doctor or is it related to astham and will eventually go away? Any advice gratefully receievd...
posted on
Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 10 Feb 2015
Answered on
Wed, 11 Feb 2015
Last reviewed on
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I went through your history and would like to make suggestions for you as follows:
1. If you need Ventolin (a rescue inhaler to be used on as-and-when-needed basis) twice a day, it suggests that your asthma is not well controlled with controlled medications (such as Seretide 25/125 twice a day).
2. I usually prescribe my such patients additional montelukast on regular basis. Increasing dose of controller inhaler (Seretide) could be another possible option. I would suggest you to discuss this with your doctor and make a decision regarding how to improve asthma control.
3. Regarding chest pain, yes, such type of chest pain can occur in uncontrolled asthma. However, "heaviness of chest" can also occur in heart problems, gastric/esophageal problems and anxiety disorders.
Practically, if taking a rescue inhaler relieves your chest pain, it might be due to asthma. However, please remember that there are other possible causes also, which should be ruled out by your physician by detailed history, physical examination and appropriate investigations.
4. I would also suggest you allergy testing for common air-borne allergens such as house dust mites, pollens, molds, insect proteins, animal dander, etc. This will help you identify the substances causing allergies to you as well as to know the measures to avoid them.
5. In general, please avoid exposure to dusts, smokes and air pollution as much as possible.
6. Regular physical exercise including breathing exercises as well as nutrition rich in vitamins & minerals will also help you in a long run by improving your lung capacity and immunity respectively.
Hope above suggestions will be helpful to you.
Should you have any further query, please feel free to ask at HCM.
Wish you the best of the health ahead.
Thank you & Regards.
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I went through your history and would like to make suggestions for you as follows:
1. If you need Ventolin (a rescue inhaler to be used on as-and-when-needed basis) twice a day, it suggests that your asthma is not well controlled with controlled medications (such as Seretide 25/125 twice a day).
2. I usually prescribe my such patients additional montelukast on regular basis. Increasing dose of controller inhaler (Seretide) could be another possible option. I would suggest you to discuss this with your doctor and make a decision regarding how to improve asthma control.
3. Regarding chest pain, yes, such type of chest pain can occur in uncontrolled asthma. However, "heaviness of chest" can also occur in heart problems, gastric/esophageal problems and anxiety disorders.
Practically, if taking a rescue inhaler relieves your chest pain, it might be due to asthma. However, please remember that there are other possible causes also, which should be ruled out by your physician by detailed history, physical examination and appropriate investigations.
4. I would also suggest you allergy testing for common air-borne allergens such as house dust mites, pollens, molds, insect proteins, animal dander, etc. This will help you identify the substances causing allergies to you as well as to know the measures to avoid them.
5. In general, please avoid exposure to dusts, smokes and air pollution as much as possible.
6. Regular physical exercise including breathing exercises as well as nutrition rich in vitamins & minerals will also help you in a long run by improving your lung capacity and immunity respectively.
Hope above suggestions will be helpful to you.
Should you have any further query, please feel free to ask at HCM.
Wish you the best of the health ahead.
Thank you & Regards.
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Respiratory therapy
Loading Online Doctors....