Hi Virginia,

Common symptoms of asthma include:

-- shortness of breath, with or without exertion

-- chest tightness

-- wheezing, which may be the awful sound you described

-- coughing

I can also tell you as a person who also suffers with asthma that it is common to feel panicky when you have these symptoms. The symptoms you describe definitely sound like they could be asthma, but other conditions can also cause similar symptoms at times. So it's extremely important that you see your doctor right away to be evaluated.

The good news is that if it is asthma, it's treatable. Almost all people with asthma can achieve control over their symptoms with the right treatment these days. Your doctor can help you figure out what the best treatment approach for you would be.

When you see your doctor, be prepared to discuss exactly how you feel during these "attacks" and what you think may be triggering them. That is, what are you doing immediately before symptoms begin? And is there anything other than time that relieves them?

Get the help you need right away, OK?

To your health,

Kathi