Suggest Treatment For Breathlessness And Inexplicable Weight Gain

Posted on Wed, 22 Jul 2015

Question: I have had shortness of breath lately, I don't know why, I just started feeling this last week. I have gained 10 lbs and obese, I weigh 200 and 5'3 I don't know if it's anxiety or my weight. I am not a smoker. Can it be cancer? I did get an X-Ray in February and everything was clear. There is no cancer history in my family, I do suffer from allergies and my nostril is inflamed due to the deviated septum.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Better to get done PFT.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Since you are having allergies, possibility of asthma or allergic bronchitis is more.
So better to consult pulmonologist and get done
1. Clinical examination of respiratory system
2. PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).
You may need inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).
You may also need antihistamine and anti allergic drugs.
And no need to worry for cancer as your chest x ray is normal.
Another possibility is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) because you are having obesity.
So please let me know
1. Do you have headache in the morning?
2. Do you snore?
3. Do you have excessive day time sleepiness?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, 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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (26 minutes later)

I actually do have sleep apnea, I have been using a cpap for 3 years now, I havn't changed out the filters for a while. Can I ask you something? Is lung cancer a slow growing cancer or fast? I'm sorry about the questions it's just that I have an anxiety due to the loss of a friend that had found out he had lung cancer 3 weeks prior to passing.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Lung cancer is slow growing tumour.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow upq uestion on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Lung cancer is slow growing tumour. Usual doubling time is 100-120 days.
And chest x ray some times can not detect early lung cancer.
So better to get done CT thorax with Contrast.
If this is normal, then no need to worry for lung cancer.
Also consult psychiatrist and get done counseling sessions. Try to identify stressor in your life and start working on its solution. You may need anxiolytic drugs too.
So don't worry, you will be alright.
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar