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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Shortness of Breath
Answered by
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Shortness of Breath
by LynnLynn67, May 04, 2004 12:00AM
I am a 36 year old female who has been experiencing shortness of breath. I feel as though I can never get a full breath of air. I am a smoker (keep trying to quit). I have had many test done over the last 2 years. Have been told after several blood tests for everything use could imagine, ekgs, heart scans and chest x-rays that there is no problem. I suffer from anxiety and had several panic attacks. I am no longer having panic attacks , but could anxiety be causing the shortness of breath and if so how do I make it go away. It is starting to affect me more and more each day. I get scared and the shortness of breath seems to become worse. I know that I spend alot of time thinking about my breathing - could this be part of the problem. I also noticed that when I am busy (playing basketball with my kids or spending time with the family) I really dont notice the shortness of breath as much. Please help me.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, May 05, 2004 12:00AM
, May 05, 2004 12:00AM
It is certainly possible for anxiety to cause shortness of breath. Spending a lot of time thinking about your breathing will make you more aware of the problem. The opposite is also true. Spending little time thinking about your breathing will make you less aware of the problem. Your statement that you don’t notice the shortness of breath as much when you are busy supports this.
Diaphragmatic breathing can help you move more air in and out of your lungs. This is the most efficient way to breathe and may make your shortness of breath go away. 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.
You may want to look at our Quit Smoking Topic Center at http://www.nationaljewish.org/topic/smoking_cessation.html for ways to help you quit smoking. Also check with your doctor for other quit smoking resources in your area.
Diaphragmatic breathing can help you move more air in and out of your lungs. This is the most efficient way to breathe and may make your shortness of breath go away. 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.
You may want to look at our Quit Smoking Topic Center at http://www.nationaljewish.org/topic/smoking_cessation.html for ways to help you quit smoking. Also check with your doctor for other quit smoking resources in your area.
