Expert: Jane - 7/24/2005

Question
Jane-

I am a healthy male in his 30's who has mild asthma. I work at a hotel as a van driver and drive pilots to the airport. Lately, I have been experiencing shortness of breath.(Not being able to take in a full breath.) Sometimes I wake up in middle of night with tight chest and short of breath. Yet, when I blow into my peak flow meter I blow 705, which is good. I cant figure this out.
A construction crew has just layed asphalt and blacktop at our Hotel and I breath in noxious fumes along with airplane fumes as well. Could this irritate my lungs and cause shortness of breath?

Thanks, Todd

Answer
Hi Todd

All Experts volunteers are not allowed to form any sort of diagnosis. Noxious fumes are a lung irritant but I strongly advise you to see your doctor as waking at night is a sign of unstable asthma which should be treated.

Kind regards
Jane