Does shortness of breath need medical attention?
Patient: asthma question I hav most of the symptoms of asthma but have not taken any medication or been looked at for it I have shortness of breath and sometimes it feels like im holding my breath but I can't breath in or out at all but it doesn't happen while im asleep at least I don't think it does should I get it looked at or is it something I shouldn't worry about Doctor: Thanks for your query.Brief answer:You do not need to be worried much but you should not neglect the symptoms.Detailed answer:Asthma is variable disease and the patterns of symptoms often vary from person to person.Cough,wheeze or tightness of chest and breathlessness are the typical symptoms of asthma.Your pattern of breathlessness is suggestive of asthma but we can not confirm it without objective test(Spirometry).Again you have to identify whether any triggers(dust,cold,emotion etc) causebreathing difficulty or not.If found,please try to avoid trigger so far it is possible.So my suggestion is :please meet your local doctor to confirm the diagnosis that causes your breathing problem and get treated if required.Wish you good health.