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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Post Partum Shortness Of Breath
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Post Partum Shortness Of Breath
by gilly Rose, May 01, 2004 12:00AM
I gave birth 4 months ago and 8 hours after the birth could not take in a deep breath. My iron levels were checked and were normal. I was sent to the hospital for heart trace, chest x-ray, ct scan and oxygen levels in blood were checked in case of Pulmonary Embolism, all tests were normal.
I was checked for asthma which was ruled out.
I take 125mg thyroxine daily (I had sub-thyroidectomy 10 years ago)
My thyroid was overactive 8 weeks after the birth, so my dose was changed to 100mg daily.
My breathing got much worse after this.
I can not take in a deep breath at least 20 times a day.
Can you tell me what could be causing this.
Many Thanks.
I was checked for asthma which was ruled out.
I take 125mg thyroxine daily (I had sub-thyroidectomy 10 years ago)
My thyroid was overactive 8 weeks after the birth, so my dose was changed to 100mg daily.
My breathing got much worse after this.
I can not take in a deep breath at least 20 times a day.
Can you tell me what could be causing this.
Many Thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, May 10, 2004 12:00AM
, May 10, 2004 12:00AM
During delivery or in the immediate postpartum period shortness of breath can be caused by amniotic fluid emboli, but not later. The testing that you had done to check for pulmonary embolism would have found this problem. Since your breathing got much worse after the decrease in your daily thyroxine from 125 mg to 100 mg, check with your doctor to see what the connection could be. The most common cause of not being able to “take in a deep breath" is anxiety.
Diaphragmatic breathing can help you move more air in and out of your lungs. This is the most efficient way to breathe and may eliminate your inability to take in a deep breath. Learning this technique will help you to breathe slowly, regularly, gently, and smoothly all of the time. Here are the instructions:
· Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose.
· While you breathe in, count 1, 2 and push your stomach out.
· Place your hand on your stomach so you can feel your stomach going out. This promotes the use of your diaphragm and your lower respiratory muscles.
· Breathe out slowly and deeply through your mouth. Imagine that you are breathing out through a straw by “pursing” your lips.
· While you slowly breathe out all the way, count 1, 2, 3, 4 and let your stomach relax. You can feel your stomach going in with your hand.
You often can get help with this type of breathing by taking an introductory yoga class or checking out a videotape on yoga that focuses on breathing and relaxation.
Diaphragmatic breathing can help you move more air in and out of your lungs. This is the most efficient way to breathe and may eliminate your inability to take in a deep breath. Learning this technique will help you to breathe slowly, regularly, gently, and smoothly all of the time. Here are the instructions:
· Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose.
· While you breathe in, count 1, 2 and push your stomach out.
· Place your hand on your stomach so you can feel your stomach going out. This promotes the use of your diaphragm and your lower respiratory muscles.
· Breathe out slowly and deeply through your mouth. Imagine that you are breathing out through a straw by “pursing” your lips.
· While you slowly breathe out all the way, count 1, 2, 3, 4 and let your stomach relax. You can feel your stomach going in with your hand.
You often can get help with this type of breathing by taking an introductory yoga class or checking out a videotape on yoga that focuses on breathing and relaxation.
Member Comments (1)
by kemikoku, May 31, 2009 04:20AM
A related discussion, sortness of breath was started.
