Hi, I am a 23 year old asthmatic. Ive been having my typical asthmatic barking cough the past few days (I chalked it up to the extreme heat and lack of AC and allergies) but the coughing has gotten worst and my chest hurts when I swallow liquids. Ive also been waking up wheezing. Ive been using my inhaler. I have a nebulizer should I try that before seeing a doctor? Is this more then allergies if its causing my chest to hurt when I swallow liquids?
Hello and thanks for writing. I can understand your concern and would try to help you in the best possible way. Your problems may be related to excessive coughing as you are having an asthma flareup. You may try steam inhalations to get you airways humidified to reduce your cough. However, consult a doctor as you are having nighttime flare-ups of asthma. You may need a short course of steroids to control this episode. Also, it is a good time to adjust your asthma medications as these false ups have to be minimized.