Difficulty breathingwhether it’s wheezing, chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, or coughingischaracteristic of asthma.
As distressing as asthma can be, the disease rarely causes progressive lung damage.
But other lung diseases that cause similar symptoms can, and they can worsen if not diagnosed and treated.
Theresa Chiechi / Verywell
That’s why seeking a proper diagnosis is essential.
This article will discuss the types of conditions that can cause symptoms similar to asthma.
It also covers how your doctor can diagnose breathing problems and what treatments are available.
While most are lung disorders, some are associated with other organ systems, such as the heart.
This can lead to pneumonitis, which is inflammation of the air sacs of the lungs.
In addition to asthma-like symptoms, pneumonitis can be recognized by a crackling sound in the lungs called rales.
Vocal Cord Dysfunction
Vocal cord dysfunctionis a condition in which the vocal cords stay closed while breathing.
This makes it difficult to get air in or out of the lungs.
Vocal cord dysfunction typically causeshoarsenessalong with wheezing and a feeling of tightness and strangulation in the throat.
These substances can include things like moldy hay and bird droppings.
Because HP has many of the same allergenic triggers as asthma, it can easily be mistaken for it.
Only allergy testing can confirm the diagnosis.
Chronic HP cases may require alung biopsyfor diagnosis ifallergy testsare inconclusive.
The cause is unknown, and it typically causes asthma-like symptoms.
With pulmonary sarcoidosis, the symptoms will be persistent, unlike the occasional episodes of asthma.
Tracheal Tumors
Tumors affecting the trachea (windpipe) can often start with asthma-like symptoms.
Because they are so rare, tracheal tumors may be initially misdiagnosed as asthma.
Hemoptysis(coughing up blood) is often the first clue that something serious is involved.
Tracheal tumors can either be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
They typically require a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Compared to asthma, wheezing is less common with PE.
Chest pains tend to begin suddenly, feel sharp, and worsen when you cough or inhale.
You may cough up pinkish bloody foam if you have PE.
Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) evaluate how well your lungs work.
Imaging studies can check for abnormalities in your lungs and airways.
Treatments can improve breathing in an emergency and prevent asthma attacks, or flare-ups, from happening again.
If asthma isnotthe cause of your breathing difficulties, other treatments will be considered based on your diagnosis.
These can include chronic medications that manage symptoms of GERD, COPD, or CHF.
Or it may involve a procedure to treat acute heart failure or a tumor.
They can also treat respiratory impairment andacute exacerbations, or flare-ups, in people with COPD.
They are used for quick relief whenever you experience severe episodes of shortness of breath and wheezing.
SABAs are also commonly inhaled before physical activity to prevent asthma symptoms during exercise.
Inhaled steroids are the most effective medications available for the long-term control of asthma.
Inhaled or oral corticosteroids are often included in treatment protocols for COPD and pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Oral steroids may be used in emergency situations to treat severe asthma attacks.
LABAs are also used along with inhaled corticosteroids for the daily management of COPD.
They are used for severe asthma attacks in combination with a SABA in the case of ipratropium.
They are also used as add-on therapy for asthma maintenance in the case of Spiriva.
Anticholinergics are also sometimes used to treat COPD.
Summary
Difficulty breathing may be due to asthma or another health condition.
Your doctor will order tests based on your symptoms.
Based on the results of testing, your doctor can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
However, you should always check with your doctor for a correct diagnosis before using asthma medication.
A Word From Verywell
What may seem like asthma is not always asthma.
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