It often feels as if I cannot take a full breath. I have had exercise induced asthma all of my life, I take an inhaler as needed, (pretty rarely) and have always been an athlete (primarily tennis and running). Recently, I have felt as if I cannot get a full breath--I practice breathing from the diaphragm and often this will produce a yawn, which aids in getting at least a better breath. I am quite puzzled because I have recently taken up swimming, and find that swimming can get my breathing straightened back out--the incomplete breaths often just go away while I am in the pool. The problem is, they can quickly return, and I wonder why they may start in the first place.
I wonder if I might have a hiatal hernia, and, if so, how this might interact with these symptoms. I do have occasional GERD, but have pretty much controlled it by avoiding overeating, not eating fast, etc. If I bend at the waist (cleaning the floor, etc.), the incomplete breathing does tend to return. Basically, I would just like some input on what might be causing these breathing issues. I am healthy, of normal weight, and have always been quite active physically. I am, however, under a good deal of stress--although I do notice a correlation of the symptoms with times of high demand, I do not think they are retricted to those occasions. I appreciate any input on what might be causing these symptoms.