Foul Breath, Stinging Eyes, Heartburn, Stomach Pain, Racing Heart, Weakness. Have Keratosis Pilaris. What Is Wrong?
Thanks for writing in.
There are several issues here and I think it would be best if we deal with them one by one.
About the breathing problems, the phlegm and the cough, it is extremely likely that it is related to an allergy. What I would suggest is that you should try taking Tablet Cetrizine 10 mg once daily and steam inhalation twice daily for the next 2 weeks. Also, keep a humidifier in your room. Very soon you should be feeling better. However, for the breathing problem, you may require a low dose corticosteroid inhaler and this is one of the things you should be speaking about to your physician.
Due to the allergies, the ear-nose-throat system gets blocked ( since they are interconnected) and thats why you keep losing your hearing and your eyes keep stinging.
Secondly, the heartburn, burping and foul breath could be related to GERD ( gastro-esophageal reflux disease ) which can definitely be exacerbated by a faulty lifestyle. You need to do a couple of things here:
a. Eat something healthy and small every 3-4 hours
b. Avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes
c. Take Tablet Prevacid OTC 1 tablet one hour before breakfast.
d. Avoid a late dinner. There should be atleast a 2 hour gap between dinner and bedtime.
As far as the rest of the symptoms are concerned, they seem to be related to a nutritional deficiency and/or anxiety.
Here are some things you can do:
a. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables (atleast 5-6 servings daily)
b. get some exercise on a daily basis. It'll help put you to sleep and keep your emotions in a check
c. Try XXXXXXX breathing exercises called pranayama which would help calm you down. This would also help you sleep. Additionally, yoga will help tremendously.
d. Avoid exercising and caffeine 3-4 hours before you hit the bed
e. Take plenty of non vegetarian items like chicken, XXXXXXX fish etc
f. Get a complete blood count, a vitamin D and vitamin B12 level done. It will help us detect any nutritional deficiencies.
If exercise and breathing exercises don't help, I think you should see your physician for an evaluation for anxiety. Some medication or therapy later, you would be living your life to the fullest.
Hope that helps
Let me know if you have any more concerns.
Thanks for writing back.
It is extremely unlikely that the Crohn's is causing symptoms of reflux. Generally speaking, the Crohn's does not involve the upper part of the small intestine. Also, it would not be causing red eyes, cough and phlegm. If the abdominal pain and diarrhoea are severe, it could be contributing to anxiety and fatigue.
Running tests is not really required at this time. You would need to see a physician if your Crohn's is not well controlled. Else, the measures states above should do you a lot of good.
The lack of control can simply be explained by fatigue and anxiety. Please try out the things I have suggested. I am sure you'd be feeling better very soon
Regards