Case study ( 5781 views as of October 11, 2024 )
Macy is a 19-year-old sociology student at university, who is active in intramural sports. Lately, she has been feeling very short of breath after practice, and a few times she has had to "sit out", which is not normal for her. Her chest feels tights, and at times she feels a wheezing/whistling noise in her chest when breathing out. Her airways feel very irritated during sports and after practice, and she has a dry cough that just won't quit. After the last practice, one of Macy's teammates offered her a few puffs off of her inhaler, and she felt quite a bit better. Was she getting asthma? Does she have an allergy? Is this an infection?
Macy may benefit from seeing a primary care provider, in order to diagnose the cause of her shortness of breath. Whether infectious, allergic or intrinsic, she may benefit from a consultation with a respiratory illness specialist. Prescriptions may include short-acting (rescue) and longer-acting (maintenance) medications, including inhalers and/or pills. Correct use of inhalers requires proper technique, and Macy could speak with a pharmacist to understand the importance or proper technique for the inhalers, and of compliance with her medication plan. Athletic and personal trainers may be of assistance in helping her adapt to her new diagnosis and still remain on track for her fitness goals.
Author: Dr. Adam Lund
Conversation based on: Environmentally-Triggered Reactive Airways and Asthma " Macy is a 19-year-old student at university has been feeling very short of breath after practice"
Environmentally-Triggered Reactive Airways and Asthma " Macy is a 19-year-old student at university has been feeling very short of breath after practice"