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Is Cortisol Theory Advisable For A Patient With Chest Tightness And COPD?

Posted on Wed, 23 Mar 2016

Question: I have been conversing with my psychiatrist lately and had some interesting answers They have been positive and informative. Like you inform me with suggestions on psychiatry, he does with info from his copd patients. I am open to an other physicians view of another field as long as they seem to merge or are similar

Any way it's time for you to give practitioners info on excess stress cortisol from an extended period and its affects on the body

You mentioned that it would take time to get to normal state once the anxiety trigger was controlled. Well I have been relaxing and trying new things to help like walking and exercise. My question, is. While working on weights slow and easy, I got a tightness and chest pressure when inhaling. Would it be safe to assume that lifting weights is pushing to much too soon and the excess hormones are still being triggered to tighten chest when lifting weight.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cortisol theory is not proved for chest tightness and COPD.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Honestly speaking, cortisol theory is not proven for chest tightness and COPD.
Stress related chest tightness is well explained by hyperacidity and this hyperacidity can cause chest tightness and may worsen COPD.
In my opinion, you are over thinking about your symptoms.
I would suggest getting a PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) immediately after weight lifting or climbing stairs.
As you are symptomatic only during these acts, we can assess lung functions only after these acts and see if we can get clues from there. So get PFT done when you are symptomatic.

Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (6 hours later)

Do you mean hyperactivity. Not hyper acidity. And the cortisol was not the copd but from excess panic

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No its hyperacidity only.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
No I mean hyperacidity only, not hyperactivity.

Your next part of the post was unclear - 'and the cortisol was not the COPD but from excess panic'.
Please explain what you want to know, so that I can guide you better.

I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (19 minutes later)

I will have to look up hyper acidity and its cause and effects.

I was told that when in anxious or panic mode the body releases cortisol and when you trigger that too many times it can take a while for it to leave the body. Then if you are doing normal things, it can be influenced by the cortisol still hanging around slowly leaving

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hyperacidity and reflux are well associated with stress and panic disorder.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Hyperacidity and reflux disease are well associated with stress and panic disorder.
Cortisol release is also associated with stress but it is not the cause for breathing difficulty or COPD directly.
Please get done PFT after climbing stairs or weight lifting to rule out actual lung involvement.
If PFT after these acts is same as previous then no need to worry for COPD.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D