Skill Checkup: A 32-Year-Old Man With Unusual Severe Shortness of Breath, Wheezing, and Nonproductive Cough

John J. Oppenheimer, MD

January 12, 2022

The Skill Checkup series provides a quick, case-style interactive quiz highlighting key guidelines- and evidence-based information to inform clinical practice.

A 32-year-old man and avid golfer presents to the emergency department with severe shortness of breath; wheezing, and persistent; nonproductive cough. He says that these symptoms are not unusual and are worse upon awakening in the morning. He awakens in the middle of the night several times a month with symptoms, including nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, and paroxysms of sneezing. He has a medical history that is significant for allergies to pet dander and dust mites since childhood. He is a nonsmoker and works as an insurance agent. He recently started dating a woman who has a cat.

He assumes that the recent exacerbation of symptoms reflects worsening of his allergies and seeks relief because the symptoms now interfere with his quality of life. Use of antihistamines; decongestants; and, occasionally, nasal steroid sprays do not provide significant relief.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Next Section

Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.

Cite this: Skill Checkup: A 32-Year-Old Man With Unusual Severe Shortness of Breath, Wheezing, and Nonproductive Cough - Medscape - Jan 12, 2022.

Comments

Commenting is limited to medical professionals. To comment please Log-in.

Comments on Medscape are moderated and should be professional in tone and on topic. You must declare any conflicts of interest related to your comments and responses. Please see our Commenting Guide for further information. We reserve the right to remove posts at our sole discretion.