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Preventing lung congestion

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February 11th, 2010
I've had asthma my whole life. There has been improvement thanks to better fitness and allergy shots, but lung congestion is still a chronic problem.

I'm 99% sure it's lung congestion which is the problem because I don't wheeze, but I'm definitely not getting enough oxygen. When I exercise, I usually get pale, with dark bags under my eyes, which I believe is either caused by not enough oxygen in the blood, or not enough of the waste being removed from exhaling. I can often feel it even when I'm not exercising. The BIGGEST clue that congestion is the problem is that on the RARE occasion that I get a deep, clearing cough, there's huge and immediate relief.

Other than the medication which I’ve listed, I've tried drinking guaifenesin (the drugstore stuff for chest congestion) and lots of water, with limited success.

So, my question is... what else could I be doing or taking to help remove/prevent this lung congestion? It's very deep down, and hard to get out.


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replied February 17th, 2010
Asthma Answer A10092
Thank you for your question on ehealthforum.com

You are requested to see a chest physician as soon as possible who will perform a physical examination, investigations like chest x ray, respiratory analysis. It is also possible to have asthma as an underlying cause responsible for your symptoms. As you already mentioned, you have a history of allergy which goes more in favor of Asthma.

There may be an associated lung infection which may require specific treatment if found. But your x ray is normal. Congestion or pleural effusion can happen in infections, but it is associated with breathlessness on exertion in early stages and even at rest in advanced cases, this can easily be diagnosed on clinical examination and on x ray.

Your condition is more likely related to your allergies and possibly due to asthma. Consult your lungs/pulmonary specialist once again to discuss. Thank you.




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