Asthma attack

[Czkf]

How long does a asthma attack usually last , I have a tight chest most days with wheezing , I have not been diagnosed with asthma , i am wondering what people think about this also I do not have a cough any of the time just wheezing when my chest is tight

[Minushabens]

Hi.

If you've not been diagnosed with asthma, then I assume that means you aren't taking any medication? If that's the case, no-one can really answer your question, as asthma has the potential to become very serious. Even with effective medication, we all experience it slightly differently.

It sounds like you need to see someone who can tell you what the problem you have is. A simple spirometry test should help the GP/nurse to tell you if they suspect asthma. Wheezing is generally a sign of something going on in your airways, but you need someone qualified to determine what that actually might be.

If they do tell you it's asthma, you will get bucketfuls of great advice on here about how you can stay well.

[Czkf in reply to Minushabens]

Hi, thanks for the reply , I have been to a specialist and did a spiromatry test the doctor said it was all fine however I still have wheezing most days , I am wondering how long a asthma attack usually lasts for because I have this most days and I thought asthma attacks just lasted a thew minutes ?

[DotPro in reply to Czkf]

Asthma is when a person has allergies and inflammation which is chronic.

Anyone can have bronchospasm which can lead to wheezing, even when they are not asthmatic.

You need a proper diagnosis made of your condition. Asthma is not the only condition that causes wheezing.

Finally, Asthma can present and the Classic Asthma with Wheezing or it can also present as Cough Variant Asthma.

In Cough Variant Asthma (CVA)- you may not have wheezing but when an attack is on, you may feel tighness and cough for a while. And in CVA, you may have very NORMAL peak flow readings of your breathing test!

Asthma, if airway constriction is reversible- should be able to respond to Rescue Medication/ Inhaler.

In the case of Cough Variant Asthma- using the inhaler should control the coughing.

[Minushabens in reply to Czkf]

As I said, each of us experiences asthma differently, but an exacerbation would typically last much longer than a few minutes. If I experience an 'attack'. I will usually feel short of breath for several days; possibly more.

DotPro is quite correct in that there are many potential causes of your wheezing, & if spirometry is not suggesting asthma, then you might either want to get a second opinion or ask for a more detailed investigation into your symptoms.

Good luck & I hope you feel better soon.