How to detect and manage asthma-related hypoxia at 21?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 21-year-old male. I have asthma and hypotension. I am below average weight (5'10'', 117 lbs). Over the last few months, any time I exert myself beyond normal. I get really dizzy, and my vision blurs and tunnels, and my lungs hurt badly until I take my inhaler. About 60 seconds later, my head started to hurt.

Lung pain decreases over the next 20-30 minutes. I take two inhalers, Salbutamol and Fluticasone, regularly. Is this hypoxia caused by my asthma? Is my steroid inhaler not doing its job? Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You mentioned having asthma and currently using two inhalers. However, you are still experiencing exertional dyspnea, fatigue, and low blood pressure, which suggests hypoxia, a lack of adequate oxygen in the body. This means your asthma is not well-controlled. Poor oxygenation can lead to several symptoms and may also contribute to blurry vision in some cases.

For better control, you may need to increase the dose of your Fluticasone inhaler or switch to a combination inhaler such as Symbicort 320, which contains both Fluticasone and Budesonide. Your physician can guide you in choosing the right inhaler and dose for your condition.

It is also important to limit the frequent use of Salbutamol, as overuse can actually worsen asthma symptoms. The primary goal of asthma management is to prevent both daytime and nighttime symptoms, reduce the need for rescue inhalers, and allow you to perform daily activities without discomfort. If you are not achieving these goals, your treatment plan needs to be adjusted.

I strongly recommend seeing your doctor promptly to review and optimize your asthma management strategy. Early intervention will help improve your breathing, reduce fatigue, and prevent further complications caused by chronic hypoxia.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.