tight chest,shortness of breath and light headed

[wiscardinal]

I've been having a tightness centered over my chest for about a week now. It also extends to my back. I have been taking short breathes and have to strain to take a deep breath. I tend to yawn alot when this feeling is present. I'm 34 and never smoked but did work 12 years in a dirty foundry. I've experienced this condition from time to time as long as I can remember. When I sleep on my back I wake up gasping for breath. I feel a raspy sensation in my lungs when I take breaths. I don't have any ear aches or a temperature. Thanks for any advice you can give.

[Tiffany12090]

A related discussion, Shortness of breath, light headed, chest pains?? was started.

[jewel464g]

Sounds like you might have asthma.  I'm 26 and didn't seem to have any asthma problems until I was 24.  I was told by the doctor that you don't have to be born with it, it can develop at any time.  Talk to you doctor about your concerns.  He started me on Singular once daily and an albuterol inhaler.  This is working great for me at the moment.

[National Jewish]

Your symptoms are often associated with anxiety but can also be a sign of lung disease or pleurisy or even disease of your vocal cords.  It could also be related to your work in the foundry.  You should have a chest X-ray and be examined by your physician.  This is mainly to be sure you do not have any serious lung disease.  It would be best to be examined at a time when you are having symptoms.