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What Causes Breathlessness, Wheezing, Chest Tightness And Dry Cough?

Posted on Thu, 22 Jun 2017

Question: Hello, I had a home doctor come out to see me. I was experiencing breathlessness,
wheezing, a tight feeling in the chest, and a dry cough with no sore throat. I was also experiencing wheezing and crackles when laying down. Cough is also worse at night or after doing anything physical. I was given asmol and steroids. When I went to my doctor at the clinic I had a temp of 37 which I never had when the home doctor came out. He has prescribed me antibiotics and told me to continue with the steroids and asmol and come back and see him when everything is finished. Is this an asthma diagnosis? Or do I have an infection and asthma? I have an abscess on my tooth that will be treated soon thats been draining and the infection has affected my sinusus and im wondering if thats given me an infection which has lead to asthma? Can you develop
many thanks,

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Possibility of acute bronchitis due to viral infection is more likely.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
By your history and description, possibility of viral upper respiratory tract infection is more.
It is more likely to cause acute bronchitis.
And acute bronchitis causes wheezing, breathlessness, cough etc.
So I don't think, you are having asthma. You are mostly having acute bronchitis.
So continue antibiotics and other drugs including inhaler.
Drink plenty of fluids orally.. Do warm water gargles 5-6 times a day.
Don't worry, you will be alright in 1-2 weeks.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Thank you so much for your reply. I will do everything as suggested.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I am happy that my advice is helping you.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I am glad that my advice is helping you.
It's always encouraging for doctors to hear positive feedback from patients.
Hope I have solved your query. If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (12 hours later)

hey, thank you for replying. I am just wondering though, if allergies can trigger asthma in adults? thank you.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, allergies can trigger asthma in adults.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, allergies can trigger asthma in adults.. In fact, some patients can develop adult onset allergies and asthma.
May I ask you why you are asking this?
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (11 hours later)

Thank you so much, yes, I was asking because I have the tooth abscess, which has drained, and I suffer from Sinus ever since I was a child. Thats why I asked if allergies or an infection (like from the tooth abscess) can trigger asthma in adults later in life.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Better to get done PFT test.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, allergies can cause adult onset asthma.
So for diagnosis, you should definitely get done PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) with reversibility.
If it shows good bronchodilator reversibility then possibility of asthma is more.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)

Thank you so much for all your help, ill ask my doctor to do that. I had a chest ct which showed nothing before I fell sick.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I am glad that my advice is helping you.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
I am glad that my advice is helping you.
It's always encouraging for doctors to hear positive feedback from patients.
Hope I have solved your query. If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad