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Suggest Treatment For Nocturnal Dyspnea And Shortness Of Breath

Posted on Tue, 22 Sep 2015

Question: Hi over the past 3 months I have been waking up in he night short of breath happening most nights 5 or 6 times in a night, Sometimes bad enough I jump out of bed with a fright. Iv also noticed shortness of breath doing basic things like climbing one flight is stairs and tight chest when lying flat on my back. I'm 31 year old 6ft and 13.5 stone. Many thanks XXXX

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

You are experiencing nocturnal dyspnea and the first thing to be excluded are cardiac problems.

If you were my patient I would recommend to do the following examinations to find out what is causing your symptoms:
- blood work
- ecg
- cardiac echo
- chest x ray
- abdominal ultrasound

Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (5 minutes later)

I also suffer on a daily basis and nighly from heatburn im un sure if these can all be conected in some way? Thanjs XXXX

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

If cardiac problems are excluded than your symptoms most probably are related to GERD ( acid reflux disease or heartburn) and treating GERD will relieve your symptoms.

This is why it's important to do the above mentioned examinations to exclude cardiac issues. After that you should start the treatment for GERD with :
- antacids ( Malox )
- use PPI like omeprazole

Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (33 minutes later)

Hi, i had the above carried out at my local hospital today and everything came back clear other than BP was a little high - They advised a mixture of acid reflux and stress causing the breathlessness during sleep. Many thanks XXXX

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back.

I'm happy to hear that everything was OK.

Wish you health!
Dr . Shehu

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar