What Is Acute Bronchitis
Bronchitis is inflammation of the breathing tubes. These airways are called bronchi. This inflammation causes increased mucus production and other changes. Although there are several different types of bronchitis, the most common are acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis may also be called a chest cold.
Most symptoms of acute bronchitis last for up to 2 weeks. The cough can last for up to 8 weeks in some people. Chronic bronchitis lasts a long time. It is more common among smokers.
Can Allergies Cause Chest Pain
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.
Causes Of Wheezing In Babies And Children
Newborns breathe only through the nose, so when they are congested or in the wrong position, they may make a wheezing or squeaking sound.
As long as they are breathing at a normal rate and the chest is not caving in, this is nothing to worry about.
If a babys chest begins caving, they are breathing rapidly, or wheezing is associated with an illness, they should be taken to a doctor or pediatrician.
When the airways narrow due to irritation, illness, or a blockage, air moving through them can make a squeaking sound.
Some people experience other symptoms as well, including discomfort when breathing or a choking sensation.
Causes include:
Don’t Miss: Non Drowsy Anti Itch
Take A Preventative Stance
If youre especially sensitive to springtime allergens, use air conditioning in the house and car to limit your exposure. If youve been outdoors, wash your hair and clothes when you get home to get rid of those allergens. Clear your nasal passages with a Neti pot or other nasal irrigation method. Indoors, try to clear your house of allergens that trigger you.
How My Pain Shaped My Life
From the first time I typed “how pain works” into google, my ideas of how perception works have been challenged and changed. I learned how people have different tolerances, experiences, and descriptions for their pain. I came to understand that pain is something that is experiential and unique to each person, not measurable or empirical by any chemical in the body. Yet when injured or in the hospital, one of the first ways we are asked to describe our pain is with a quantification “1-10”. What are these numbers compared to? Our other experiences of pain? What if one person was feeling the same pain as another, but is comparing that pain to a bullet wound while the other compares it to a bee sting? The numbers would not at all be similar.
It was this idea, that everyone experiences pain through their subjective perception, that motivated me to study how many other facets of our health is associated with our own perception and worldview. Through my studies in medical anthropology and public health, it became clear that different cultures define illness, pain, and health differently, with various associations to each other.
I love what I do now understanding different perceptions of pain, illness, and health. Helping individual people to find remedies for their unique personal pain or illness, that is resonant with their experience and circumstance. It all started with my own chronic lung pain.
Read Also: Can You Take Allergy Medicine With Antibiotics
How Allergies Can Impact Your Lungs
During the unpredictable health crisis that the world is currently facing, its more important than ever to stay healthy. According to the AAFA over 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. Allergic reactions can cause symptoms in your nose, lungs, throat, sinuses, ears, lining of the stomach, or on the skin. Allergies can also trigger asthma, making it more difficult to breathe. Pulmonary Associates of Richmond shares the connection between lung health and allergies, and what you can do to protect your lungs.
How Pollen Season Affects Your Lungs
Ah, spring is in the air! And, unfortunately, so are pollens and other allergens.
As flowers, weeds, grass, trees and other plants bloom, they release pollen into the air. This typically happens in the spring, summer, and fall. The exact dates of pollen allergy seasons differ, depending on where you live. It also depends on what types of pollens you are allergic to, as different plants bloom at different times of the year.
Recommended Reading: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec
Are Asthma Medicines Safe When You’re Breastfeeding
Asthma medicines do get into your breast milk, but the amounts are very low and are safe for the baby. If you take high doses of certain asthma medicines, like theophylline, your baby may become irritable or have trouble sleeping. To help prevent this, take your asthma medicines 3 or 4 hours before the next feeding. Your provider and your babys provider can help you adjust your medicine schedule so you and your baby can get the health benefits of breastfeeding.
Last reviewed: November, 2013
Treatment And Preventative Options For Eye Discharge
Here are some home remedies to try:
- Avoid touching your eyes, especially with dirty hands. Always wash your hands prior to touching your eyes.
- Always remove your contacts and ensure they are being properly cleaned. Also, avoid wearing old contacts.
- Discard old eye makeup and avoid sharing eye makeup with others.
- Get to know your allergens and avoid them as best as possible or at least stick with your allergy treatment plan.
- Apply warm compresses to the eyes.
Generally, a small amount of eye discharge is normal and only requires you to wash your face to remove it. If you begin to notice changes to your eye discharge, such as changes in color or amount produced, see your doctor, as it could indicate an infection.
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
Don’t Miss: Can You Take Robitussin With Allergy Medicine
Clearing Your Throat And More: At
- The lining of your nose, sinuses, and throat actually the entire respiratory tract is lined by mucous membranes that manufacture and secrete mucus.
- If you take medications targeting mucus and post-nasal drip, you may feel better for a time, but because you havent managed your reflux, the problem will continue.
- Respiratory reflux is associated with too-much thick mucus that is hard to move it is the stuff you hock up when you feel it dripping or stuck in your throat.
- Allergies are usually associated with thin mucus and runny nose, as well as sneezing and itchy eyes.
- Reflux is by far the most common cause of post-nasal drip, too much mucus and chronic throat-clearing.
From Jamie Koufman, Worlds Leading Expert on Acid Reflux
The most common cause of chronic throat clearing, too much mucus and post-nasal drip is acid reflux. We call it silent reflux because it doesnt have the best-known symptoms, heartburn or indigestion. However, only 20% of people with reflux have those symptoms. Most people who have acid reflux have silent reflux and respiratory issues, including problems with throat mucus.
Post-nasal drip is a symptom and not cause of other conditions. This is important to understand! For example, post-nasal drip does not cause chronic cough, but reflux can cause both the drip and the cough. Many patients undergo unnecessary tests and procedures for these problems unnecessarily because doctors dont understand respiratory reflux very well.
Preventing Shortness Of Breath Due To Allergies
Its not always possible to avoid allergens that you encounter outdoors. By taking your medication, you may be able to avoid a strong allergic reaction that makes it hard to breathe. Exercising indoors when pollen counts are high or in areas where air pollution is prevalent can also help you breathe easier despite your allergies.
Frequently cleaning your home by dusting and vacuuming each week and keeping the environment dry prevents mold and other allergens from accumulating and causing respiratory issues. An Airfree air purifier can help you breathe easier , scrubbing out some microorganisms that can make you sick and trigger an allergic reaction.
You May Like: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec
Learn How To Manage Symptoms
The good news is that todays treatments for asthma and allergies mainly medication and inhalers are very effective.
Theyre relatively easy to use and have minimal side effects, Dr. Purcell says. When symptoms are more severe or do not respond to other measures, allergy shots is very effective.
One option that should not be on the table is letting allergic asthma ruin your quality of life. The goal is to manage your condition so that it never limits the activities you love because they trigger an allergic reaction, he says.
Working with your doctor will help you find a treatment plan that works for you.
Extreme Heat May Trigger Asthma Symptoms
When the thermometer creeps up and the humidity outside is so thick you can feel it, it can be hard to breathe easy. Heat-related breathing problems can affect anyone, but they are especially troublesome for people as they age and for those who have chronic conditions such as asthma. If you fall into either of these categories, its important to take the necessary steps to protect your health during the summer and when you travel somewhere tropical on vacation.
The energy required of your body to maintain its normal temperature becomes increasingly strained during the summer months as the heat and humidity rise. The additional stress on your lungs is even more challenging for someone who has asthma, which can cause difficulty when breathing.
Asthma gets worse in the heat and humidityIf you have asthma, breathing hot air during the summer may trigger your symptoms. There are many reasons why this can happen, including increased air pollution from smog and higher pollen counts which are common irritants to the lungs. As the body tries to cool itself, it uses up more oxygen which makes the lungs work harder.
Hot air may also irritate your airway and lead to a bronchospasm, one of the hallmark symptoms of asthma, said Geisinger allergist and immunologist Yoon Kim, D.O. This will cause you to feel short of breath and tightness in your chest, and may make you cough or wheeze.
Don’t Miss: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec
Can Allergies Cause Chest Pains
Did you have pain in the chest this past Valentines Day? That feeling might not be a broken heart.
Chest pain is a symptom of allergies and allergy-related conditions. Pain in the center of the chest that feels like squeezing along with pain in the arms, back, neck, or jaw can be a heart attack. Thats when you need to call 911.
But if you have a persistent tightness in the larger chest area, it may be a condition related to allergies.
What Can You Tell By The Color And Consistency Of Phlegm
When the lungs become infected, either from bronchitis or pneumonia , they often create more mucus.
Infection may cause mucus to change from a clear or light yellow thinner liquid to a darker thicker one. Mucus can become darker yellow or green. The dead white blood cells and other changes from the bodys response to infection cause this color change. The change in color may mean that your body is fighting off an infection. But not always.
There is some evidence that green or yellow phlegm is more often caused by a bacterial infection . Its just not a guarantee, so your doctor will look at other symptoms to decide which type of infection you havea bacterial one or a viral one.
You May Like: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec
Pulmonary And Cardiac Causes
Asthma
Telltale symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, and cough. If you have asthma and are exposed to lung irritants or allergens, these triggers may cause the muscles in your airways to constrict and narrow, leading to chest tightness, pain, and pressure.
You may be advised to use an inhaler to relieve your airways and reduce your symptoms. Studies show that albuterol inhalers can effectively ease chest discomfort and eliminate symptoms of an asthma attack.
COPD
If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , you may experience occasional chest tightness. While the primary symptom of COPD is shortness of breath, you may feel chest tightness or a sensation that something is wrapped around your chest even while at rest.
COPD is often treated through the use of inhalers and nebulizers to help improve breathing. Corticosteroids and phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors are often prescribed to reduce lung inflammation and reduce COPD flare-ups.
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease is caused by the narrowing of large blood vesselsknown as coronary arteriesthat supply oxygen to the heart. Arteries that have become narrow can cause shortness of breath and angina . Angina may also be characterized as chest tightness, heaviness, pressure, fullness, or squeezing.
Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary Embolism
Is There A Seasonal Pattern To The Congestion
- The cold and the flu tend to hit in the fall and winter.
- Recurring nasal congestion in the spring, summer or fall, especially if it happens every year, could indicate allergies to pollen from trees, grass or weeds.
- Chronic year-round nasal congestion could be a sign of allergy to dust mites or pets.
- Chronic nasal congestion can also be seen in children with enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
Read Also: Can Allergy Medicine Raise Blood Pressure
Is It Safe To Take Asthma Medicine During Pregnancy
Asthma symptoms that dont stop or that get worse can be a risk to your and your baby. If you were taking asthma medicine before pregnancy, dont stop taking it without talking to your provider first.
If youre diagnosed with asthma during pregnancy, talk to your provider about the best way to treat or manage it.
If youre already getting allergy shots, you can keep taking them during pregnancy. But if you arent getting allergy shots, dont start taking them when youre pregnant because you could have a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Can Allergies Cause A Cough
Yes, and you can blame it on your immune system. When your body mistakes a substance like pollen or mold as a harmful invader, it sets off an intense response to try and flush it out, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology . During this process, your cells release histamine and other chemicals, which triggers an allergic reaction. Cue the cold-like symptoms, including a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and coughing.
Allergy coughs are typically caused by swelling or irritation of the airways, the AAAI says. And, if you develop post-nasal dripwhen the mucus hanging out in your sinuses trickles down the back of your throatthat can also cause a cough, Dr. Bassett says.
You May Like: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec
You’ve Saved This Page
Asthma is a lung disease that causes your airways to tighten up, making it hard for you to breathe. Theres no cure for asthma. Even if you have asthma and feel healthy, asthma flares can happen at any time.
Most people with asthma can keep the disease under control and avoid serious health problems. If youre pregnant, its really important to work with your health care provider to manage your asthma and get medical care, if needed.
Allergy Medication Side Effects
That pill you swallowed to relieve your allergy symptoms can cause chest pain. If you take allergy medications that include the decongestant pseudoephedrine you know how well it works.
What you might not know is that tightness in the chest is one of the many side effects of pseudoephedrine.
Talk to your doctor about alternative medications that do not contain this ingredient if you are sensitive.
Recommended Reading: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec
Shortness Of Breath And Tightness In Chest Due To Heart Problems
As you probably know, chest pain and tightness along with shortness of breath are two of the main symptoms of heart attack along with dizziness, pain in the arm or jaw. However, this does not mean that every time you feel this you are suffering a heart attack, in fact, it may have nothing to do with the circulatory system. On the other hand, in addition to infarction, there are a number of heart problems that may manifest these same symptoms. Here are some of the most common:
- Aortic dissection: When the aortic wall is torn, the person suffers a very sharp pain in the chest accompanied by severe pain in the back and difficulty in breathing. This condition is considered a medical emergency of first order, because even if treated properly it can cause death in a very short time.
- Arterial blockage: If you have blocked arteries due to plaque buildup and cholesterol, this chest pressure with a shortness of breath sensation may appear. This condition is called recurrent angina and should be treated properly, as the risk of a heart attack is very high.
- Pericarditis: It is the infiltration of the membrane lining the heart, usually by a viral or bacterial infection.
Perimenopause/menopause And Shortness Of Breath/chest Tightness/ Belching
Anyone have the symptoms of shortness of breath with chest tightness, with lots of belching after eating? If so please describe And does it get better? Mine started like 3 weeks ago and its awful feels like i cant get a deep enough breath.
Im also experiencing food allergies/sensitivities also to soaps and flowers and different smells, all make me choke/ cough and feels like chest tightness. Never ever have I had asthma in my life but feels like it now! My anxiety/ panic attacks are bad, antibodies are high for rheumatoid arthritis, and hashimotos, just dont know how to deal with all these new symptoms that keep getting thrown at me other than to sit and cry, cry cry! Anyone else having similar issues??? Are these symptoms all consistent with the menopause change??
11 likes, 145 replies
Don’t Miss: Can Allergies Make You Nauseous
