persistent cough and intermittent wheezing

[iloveglee]

Not sure if I should insist my husband go to drs. For about 3 months (in fact since we had the builders in making a lot of dust), he has developed a wheezy cough and wheezing at night sometimes. He insists it is just the dust but the builders have been done for a month now and there is no dust, just the general sort that all houses have. Still this persists. He has a family history of eczema and has it mildly himself sometimes and I am wondering about asthma but he doesn't get breathless at all not even when exercising (he walks about 5 miles everyday including uphills), neither does he suffer with pain or tightness in his chest. Men are so difficult about going to drs and maybe I am a little paranoid since his friend has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Anyone out there experienced similar symptoms.

[owdhamer]

If in any doubt whatsoever consult your GP, i left a problem until to late and now face an uncertain future,

[theloneranger]

I've suffered fro years with Asthma and the symptoms sound similarit can start anytime. A Doctor's visit should soon sort things out

[iloveglee]

I think that this may be asthma, it's just that everything that I've read about it suggest that there would be reduced peak flow, which doesn't appear to be the case, some shortness of breath and chest tightness, none of which apply either. I have no respiratory symptoms at all and get a bit out of breath going up hills but he doesn't. Don't know why he's so adamant there's no need to see dr, it's not as if he doesn't get time, we are retired so could go any time. Think I will make the appointment for him and not tell him until the day then he will feel obliged to go.

[boxtops]

Three weeks is a long time to have a cough - let alone three months - all the current guidance says that a 3-week cough should be checked out. It could be bronchitis.

[Headbanger]

Perhaps he is wary about seeing a GP because of his friend. However anyone having a cough for this long should see a doctor.You can still have asthma without getting breathless and asthma is more common in eczema sufferers. It is likely that his GP will prescribe an inhaler which should relieve his symptoms.Good luck

[seadogg]

Not a big deal if an inhaler is used. I also walk uphill every day but when doing any kind of dusty job a martindale type face mask is a must

[Eve.]

Does it improve when he is in a different environment to home or is it consistently bad?

[Sqad]

Remember the age old saying......."all that wheezes is not asthma"

It certainly sounds like asthma, but a trip to the GP who will take a better history, examine him and perhaps a chest X-Ray.