Continual breathing problems

[faithy]

Bit of background: I'm an 18 year old girl from Australia on year's exchange to Finland right now (8 months left).  I was born with my imbilical cord wrapped around my throat three times and didn't breath for three minutes.  As far back as I can remember I've always had one sort of breathing annoyance or another.

My mum believes in chiropractory and prior to this exchange I'd been going on a fortnightly basis for check ups and adjustments, etc.  One thing that has ALWAYS shown up is respiratory troubles.

I've always been fairly active: usually two team ball sports and three one hour dancing classes per week.  The sports leaves me out of breath a lot, but the dancing does not (despite being really energetic).

For the past five years I've been getting this 'dark' feeling in my chest - and it occurs at random moments, not confined to times of stress or when I've exerted myself.  I also randomly get chest spasms, usually in my right side (noth the eart side).  The dark feeling seems to rise slowly up my chest and I find it hard to breath.  It's hard to explain.  The chest pains are sharp and usually occur when I breath deeply.

I got the worst flu I've ever had three months ago and it left me having huge breathing troubles and pain for a week.  Later, when they painted my room I also had difficulty breathing for a week.

My grandma has angina...don't know if that helps in diagnosis.  I've had minor troubles respiratory-wise problems since I can remember...I saw a doctor before I left and he found nothing wrong.  Any light on the subject would be great.

Thank you

[National Jewish]

You will need to see a doctor to find out the nature of the problem that is causing your symptoms to continue.  To know for sure if this is due to a lung problem you will need to have testing done.  Generally testing for a lung problem starts with a simple breathing test called spirometry.  This test provides detailed information about how your lungs are working.  If your symptoms are due to a lung problem, this testing should identify the cause.  A pulmonologist would be the type of specialist to identify a lung problem and the best treatment.

[starion]

Have you ever been evaluated for asthma?  Vocal chord dysfunction?  Those are two different conditions (some lucky folks have both).  They can affect our breathing and may be responsible for and/or contributing to your breathing problems.  I would suggest you talk to a doctor--now or when you return home-- about all you've mentioned in your post.  Get a good evaluation so you can receive appropriate treatment.
Best of luck & enjoy the country you're visiting!
Starion