Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
Breathing Distress
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
Breathing Distress
by NelsonAAA, Mar 08, 2004 12:00AM
I am a 42 year old male, 6' tall and 196 pounds.
I have a thorax/lung condition.
My condition symptoms are thus:
A) Tension/tightness in my back, shoulder, neck and lungs - the problem is intermittent and 'migrates' around my thorax.
B) As a result of tightness/constriction in my chest, I have an 'awareness' that my breathing is impeded - I feel my lungs are sensitive/ 'tickly'and that mucus causes me distress. I sometimes have a dry cough.
C) The breathing problem becomes much more pronounced when my associated stomach bloating/upper gastric IBS flares up...usually daily.
Notes:
I can partake of aerobic exercise, without any trouble.
My recent chest X-Ray appeared fine and my peak flow is very good.
Ventolin does not help/Becotide may help a little(?)
My acid reflux (GERD) appears well under control ( I am eating small meals and taking Omeprazole)
The problem started after a period of daily asthma-like breathing 'attacks' a couple of years ago.
I am taking Buspar for anxiety
Q: WHAT ARE THE LIKELY CAUSES OF MY BREATHING PROBLEM? CAN YOU SUGGEST A COURSE OF ACION...
I have a thorax/lung condition.
My condition symptoms are thus:
A) Tension/tightness in my back, shoulder, neck and lungs - the problem is intermittent and 'migrates' around my thorax.
B) As a result of tightness/constriction in my chest, I have an 'awareness' that my breathing is impeded - I feel my lungs are sensitive/ 'tickly'and that mucus causes me distress. I sometimes have a dry cough.
C) The breathing problem becomes much more pronounced when my associated stomach bloating/upper gastric IBS flares up...usually daily.
Notes:
I can partake of aerobic exercise, without any trouble.
My recent chest X-Ray appeared fine and my peak flow is very good.
Ventolin does not help/Becotide may help a little(?)
My acid reflux (GERD) appears well under control ( I am eating small meals and taking Omeprazole)
The problem started after a period of daily asthma-like breathing 'attacks' a couple of years ago.
I am taking Buspar for anxiety
Q: WHAT ARE THE LIKELY CAUSES OF MY BREATHING PROBLEM? CAN YOU SUGGEST A COURSE OF ACION...
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Mar 10, 2004 12:00AM
, Mar 10, 2004 12:00AM
I would suggest a referral to a pulmonary physician. There are many causes of shortness of breath. This can include asthma, restrictive or obstructive lung disease, heart disease, post-nasal drip, or GERD to name just a few.
I would first suggest full pulmonary function tests as well as a chest X-ray. This can evaluate for most obstructive and restrictive lung dieases. Essentially this test involves blowing into a machine to determine lung function. A plain X-ray should be done and a CT scan considered if further imaging is necessary.
If the lung function is normal, heart causes can be considered - including exercise stress testing, an echocardiogram or cardiopulmonary stress testing.
In terms of a course of action - I would suggest a referral to a lung specialist. Next steps would be dependent on the results of the tests suggested above.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
I would first suggest full pulmonary function tests as well as a chest X-ray. This can evaluate for most obstructive and restrictive lung dieases. Essentially this test involves blowing into a machine to determine lung function. A plain X-ray should be done and a CT scan considered if further imaging is necessary.
If the lung function is normal, heart causes can be considered - including exercise stress testing, an echocardiogram or cardiopulmonary stress testing.
In terms of a course of action - I would suggest a referral to a lung specialist. Next steps would be dependent on the results of the tests suggested above.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
