BODY SIGNAL ALERT: WHEEZING FOR PROLONGED PERIOD, WITH SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND COUGH
Description and Possible Medical Problems
If you have a history of asthma, whether it’s been stable or not, if you begin to wheeze and can’t stop and you are also coughing and feeling short of breath, you are experiencing a series of severe bronchospasms, and you need immediate medical attention. This is a condition known as status asthmaticus, and you should call 911 right away.
Many people who have lived for years with their asthma remaining relatively stable are angry and confused when it suddenly becomes worse. They try to look for a reason and can’t find one, and some may attribute it to the aging process.
Nope. It’s probably caused by a viral infection or a medication such as an antihistamine or even an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory preparation such as Advil or aspirin. And some people can eventually trace the cause to an increase in the local air pollution.
Treatment
If you are having severe bronchospasms, you will be treated with a bronchodilator spray such as Ventolin or Proventil ot a Maxair Autohaler, which works especially well in elderly asthmatics. After an acute attack, you will be observed for a couple of days to help ptevent a repeat episode. If the severe wheezing was caused by an infection, you may be hospitalized until the infection cleats up. If it’s the result of an allergy medication, your allergist will need to switch your medication to a spray such as Intal or Atrovent to cut down on allergic reactions. A steroid spray such as Vanceril may also be used to prevent status asthmaticus in the long term.
As for pollution, the best prevention is to stay indoors when the air quality index shows that it would be dangerous for you to go out.
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