Breathing Problems

I'm a 38 year old mother of 3. Healthy, active, non-smoker. I run about 20 miles a week, mostly on trails, also work out at the gym, cycle, whatever I can get in. I have a history of breathing issues, primarily in the fall when the temps drop. Seems like allergies trigger my breathing issues. Sometimes it's wheezing, other times inability to get a deep breath. The last few weeks it's been that I can't get a deep breath. I draw involuntarily draw in deeply for air, but come up short. Sometimes it results in the start of a yawn, the yawn doesn't always come through for me. If I try to do deep breathing I get light-headed. This has been pretty constant for about a week now, and I'm feeling light-headed almost constantly now. I'd love to know what is causing this, and what I can do to correct it. I was prescribed an inhaler years ago, and used to hit it when it got bad, but I cannot stand the effect the drug has on me --I get jittery and dizzy. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

JMC

[National Jewish]

To find out the nature of the problem that is causing your symptoms a thorough physical exam needs to be done and testing.  Spirometry is a simple breathing test.  This test provides detailed information about how your lungs are working.  It will show if there is obstruction in the airways of your lungs.  If a lung problem is found, a pulmonologist would be the type of specialist to identify the lung problem causing your symptoms and the best treatment.