Are persistent cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath symptoms of asthma?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have had problems with persistent cough with both dry, clear, and yellow mucus, catching colds frequently, and a sore throat for the last year. Recently, I have started having problems with shortness of breath as well. A couple of days ago, I went to the emergency care for shortness of breath and they measured my exhale and blood oxygen. Both were found to be low. They think it could be asthma and recommended a spirometry test at my ordinary doctor. But after reading online it seems that these symptoms are more correlated with COPD, even if I do not smoke cigarettes and I am only 23 years old. Although I did smoke a vape from Darkweb (which I do not know its content) for two years and quit when I started getting these symptoms frequently. My question is if these symptoms mentioned can occur in asthma as well or, if not COPD then what could it be? My immune system has been tested and everything was fine. Kindly suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I am glad that you reach out to us. Your past history of smoking can lead to a condition called bronchitis, which is a very common condition in smokers. In smokers, there is inflammation of the airway and it can aggravate with any stimuli, like smoke and dust, etc. I suggest that you take steam inhalation at least twice a day, and take antihistaminics and anti-allergic, for your cough. Wear an N-95 mask when you go out. Consume fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, which will help build your immunity. Stay away from smoking and, vaping is as dangerous as smoking. So stay away from that also and get your pulmonary function test done to understand if you have asthma or not. On the bases of this history, it is very difficult to comment. You should get a PFT test done and HRCT to come to a diagnosis.

Thank you.