Questions about Asthma

I was told I had asthma about 5 years ago after complaining to my doctor that I was short of breath a lot, not enough to prevent me from doing stuff but just enough to be an irritant.  The doctor had me breathe into that machine and he told me I had asthma.  I've never had to use my albuterol(It's never gotten that bad) and when I have tried it I think it makes me worse (my heart starts racing, maybe that is because I used it when I didn't really need to). 

My question is I seem to have a nagging cough that doesn't seem to go away, it comes right from the chest, people often ask me if I have a cold when I don't, it doesn't get any worse or any better just stays nagging.  And I notice when I do a lot of exercise or running outside in cold weather I have to cough and also when I laugh a lot it makes me cough, are these all signs/symptoms of the asthma? 

I've had these for the last five years and they have not bothered me that much, but recently I have been having issues with anxiety and now everything scares me so any information anyone can give me I would sure appreciate.

 

The cough you're describing is called an asthmatic cough.  When your cough gets worse in cold weather or exercise, you are having what is called exercised induced asthma.  Exercise induced asthma is controlled by using your MDI 15 minutes prior to going outdoors or exercising.  (Call your MD about exercised induced asthma prior to starting this type of preventative measure.)  Also keeping your neck warm with a turtle neck shirt/sweater will help.

Asthmatics have a tendency for air trapping since you can breathe in, but it's hard to expel.  The following is a simple exercise to remove air trapping and allow the oxygen your body needs into your lungs:

Relax your neck & shoulders.

Breathe in slowly through your nose for 2 counts.

Pucker your lips as if you were going to blow out a candle.

Breathe out slowly through your lips for 4 counts.

Hope this info helps.  he information is from Krames on Demand, an information site used by a lot of hospitals & medical offices. 

...and yes, you can have an asthma attack from laughing. I thought I was losing it when this would happen but finally got up the courage to call my doc and found out that is exactly what was happening. Strong emotions can bring on asthma attacks just like allergies and weather.

Many of the inhalers have side effects that include rapid heartbeat. You may find that a different reliever is less problematic. I find terbutaline more easy to tolerate than salbuterol (less headache and rapid heartbeat). Your doctor should be able to help and may wish to give you an inhaler to help prevent your problems, which you should take as prescribed, even if you are feeling well.
Hope this helps, good luck.