Your breathing problems may be symptoms of asthma, according to your ENT, Dr. Arthur Katz, located in Olympia Fields, IL, Crown Point and Munster, IN. Here is some more information about asthma symptoms and treatments.

What is asthma?

Asthma varies from one person to another, from symptoms to severity. The basic cause, however, is when small airways in your lungs become narrow, swell and produce excess mucus. This results in overworking your lungs because they need to work harder to move air in and out.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

As mentioned above, the symptoms vary from one person to another but they include:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of Breath
• Tightness in your chest
• Pain in your chest
• Fatigue
• Difficulty sleeping

Symptoms are triggered when you spend time around a particular substance, an allergen like smoke or perfume, and results in an asthma flare up. Other reasons for asthma flares could be weather conditions, colds, the flu, dust, mold, pollens or animal dander. There's even an exercise-induced asthma, which results in an asthma flare five to 10 minutes after you begin exercising or exerting yourself.

How can I tell if I have asthma?

Determining whether or not you have asthma can be difficult because colds and the flu can also cause the same symptoms: coughing or wheezing. If your symptoms continue longer than a few weeks, you may have asthma. Contact your Munster ear, nose and throat doctor for a definite diagnosis and treatment options.

How is asthma treated?

• Daily inhaled corticosteroid decrease flare-ups and control symptoms.
• A prescribed quick-relief inhaler used when you experience a flare-up.
• Other medications may also be recommended, like oral medications and inhalers combining corticosteroids and beta agonists, they'll basically keep airways open.

If you have asthma or suspect that you may have the disease, contact Dr. Arthur Katz at his office in Olympia Fields, IL, Crown Point or Munster, IN, to make an appointment. Call (708) 747-6900 for the Olympia Fields, IL, office, (219) 769-8441 for the Crown Point, IN, office, or (219) 934-9396 for the Munster, IN, office.