Tuesday, May 27, 2008 Rick asks

Q: I export heavy mucus when I caugh, is that how asthma is?

I was recently diagnosed with asthma. In Nov 07, I had bronchitis. It lasted about 2 weeks and left me. A month later it returned. It has done this 5-6 times since then. Once I ran a very high fever and was put on antibiotics, which helped immediately (Z-Pak). Three or four weeks later, it returned again. I go through heavy caughing spells. I usually caugh up mucus residue. That is all. I do not sweat, or have tightness in my chest or any of the other symptoms (that I know of). But I caugh heavy sometimes. I have never smoked. I was given the breathing test using the computer (I don't remember what it was called), and that is how this doctor diagnosed my astma. There is no astma in my family.

I feel that if I could get this residue out of my tubes completely, I would be fine. Does this sound like asthma to anyone else?

Answers (1)

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James Thompson, MD

5/27/08 10:37pm

Hi Rick,

Asthma is a clinical syndrome that may include cough, wheezing, shortness of breath or chest tightness. Some people only cough when their asthma is active. Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways of the lung. Mucus secreting cells called mucus glands line the airways of the lung and over produce mucus when asthma is triggered by allergens, irritants or infection.

Complaints of cough and excessive phlegm (or mucus) are common during asthma attacks, especially if brought on by a cold or sinus infection. Asthma is not well controlled when bothersome cough frequently occurs. Usually an inhaled steroid is required to reduce inflammation and prevent asthma attacks.

There are other diseases that may cause cough and phlegm production in a non-smoker but they are not as common as asthma. The test you had is called "spirometry" which is a type of pulmonary function test. This test is used to confirm the diagnosis of asthma and to measure the degree of control and level of severity.

There is plenty more to learn about asthma on this website. If you have more questions please come back to post them.

Yours,

J. Thompson, MD

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Q: I export heavy mucus when I caugh, is that how asthma is?

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