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Suggest Treatment For Headaches, Dry Cough And Difficulty Breathing

Posted on Mon, 1 Feb 2016

Question: I feel like I can't breath in all the way (not wheezing) and have some headaches. when I cough sometimes it's a dry cough and sometimes it's a cough that feels like I have mucus or something in my chest. also when I cough I sometimes feel my head hurt. most of the uncomfortable feeling is in my throat area. like there is a tightness. also I get some minor neck pains. this all started last week when I started waking up out of my sleep gasping for air. that's gotten better but ever since I've had this breathing problem and it's been a little hard to fall asleep sometimes (because of my breathing) when I workout I don't feel like my breathing gets worse or anything. I also have asthma. I'm 19 and was a smoker for about 2 months. I'd smoke about 2-6 a day. once I was feeling like this I immediately stopped smoking and im not going back. I was afraid I have lung cancer but that's probably just me worrying lol

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry for lung cancer.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
First of all, no need to worry for lung cancer.
Lung cancer is not common at your age. It is common after the age of 60 years.
So don't worry about lung cancer.
In my opinion, your all symptoms are due to uncontrolled asthma.
And your symptoms are due to viral infection.
So better to consult pulmonologist and get done
1. Clinical examination of respiratory system
2. PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).
PFT will also tell you about severity of the disease and treatment of asthma is based on severity only.
You may need inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Oral combination of antihistamine and anti inflammatory drugs is also beneficial for asthma control.
So please let me know
1. What is your last PFT report?
2. Which drugs you are taking at present?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)

thank you very much for putting my mind at ease. I was worried I had something real serious because I've been feeling these things for 2 weeks. and I honestly don't know my pft report. and last week I saw my doctor and told him my breathing problem. I was using primatene mist when I starting having this problem but it didn't do anything. so when I saw my doctor he gave me advair hfa to use twice a day everyday. it didn't really help. well except for today. earlier at work I had some chest pain (right in the middle of my chest in my sternum) and a sharp pain in the back of my neck right below my head. the pains eventually went away after a few hours (I still kinda have the chest pain and headaches) but the neck pain is pretty much gone. and the best part is, my breathing finally feels like it's gotten a lot better. I'm taking deeper breaths now. it just happened from out of nowhere. but just to be sure things are ok with me I'm getting a chest x ray tomorrow and I'm going back to my doctor for my blood test results next Wednesday. I just hope it's nothing too bad and that what I have goes away. The past 2 weeks have been sleepless, breathless, panicky nights haha.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are improving because of advair.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
It's good that you are improving.
And I think you are improving due to advair inhaler.
So better to take it regular.
No need to worry for lung cancer for sure.
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. Sonia Raina