I have a lifelong history of extended chest colds - they typically last 3-8 weeks, mean that I have to sleep propped up on pillows so that I can breathe. The last two winters my family doc has scolded me for not getting medical help until about 4 weeks into my colds...I wasn't actually in her office for cold treatment - I was really in there for my annual physical! Anyhow - when does a cold turn from a cold into asthma? I don't usually have fevers - just serious chest congestion. When should I go for medical help?

there is a strain of pneumonia that can cause asthma. He's just trying to make sure it doesn't get to that stage.

I *have* asthma; one of my triggers is the chest cold. How do I know when I need medical help for my chest cold? I've always felt tight and uncomfortable with colds; I don't know what is normal for a cold and when I should go for a medical evaluation/treatment.

Normal colds don't last that long but asthmatics colds do ........and generally if they are lasting that long they've turned into broncitus or phnemonia for me personally . Definatly try to get to your doctor early on in the cold if you don't want it to last for a long time or turn into something worst .. if it is asthma or phnemonia it can kill you so it's really nothing to screw around with ;)