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Suggest Treatment For Shortness Of Breath, Tingling In Hands, Lightheadedness And Asthma
Question: I woke up this morning in a panic and felt shortness of breath, tingly hands, lightheaded. I assume this was a panic attack. The shortness of breath didn't go away so I called an ambulance. They came out and checked my lungs, oxygen levels and an ECG and it was all fine. I felt a bit better.
Since then, I can't stop thinking about my breathing. I was still worried and took some Ventolin. I have very mild asthma. I went back to sleep but woke up still thinking about my breathing.
I find it difficult to think about my breathing and I feel like it's a chore to breath. My lungs feel a bit sore from my back now too.
Is this all anxiety?
Since then, I can't stop thinking about my breathing. I was still worried and took some Ventolin. I have very mild asthma. I went back to sleep but woke up still thinking about my breathing.
I find it difficult to think about my breathing and I feel like it's a chore to breath. My lungs feel a bit sore from my back now too.
Is this all anxiety?
Brief Answer:
it looks more like anxiety and not organic
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Your query symptoms are reflective of difficulty in breathing but with all vitals in normal limit. This points towards the psychological nature of difficult breathing and not organic.
It is good, as, had there been any real problem in lungs you might have needed many drugs or breathing monitoring device; and now you dont need them!
Now, the anxiety which had lead to all these needs to be sorted out. Check if you had any stressful event in recent past or was there any new drug started by you recntly or any reason which might have triggered this episode ?
Analysing the reason will help in managing the anxiety better and reducing the chances of further attacks.
It might happen that there is no reason found- in such cases we recommend deep breathing technique or may be any relaxation techniques to calm the mind. You should practice them on daily basis to help your self. This will also relieve the apprehension of getting another attack.
You may also start going for walks or start exercising or jogging to increase natural endorphins.
These non medicated mesaures help a lot if done properly. In some cases we need to start some anti anxiety drug (but still non medicated measures should continue).
If you have asthma you should avoid using propanolol and benzodiazapines (as they may trigger the attack).
I hope the reply helps.
Wish you speedy recovery!
Pelase feel free to ask more queries for any clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
it looks more like anxiety and not organic
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Your query symptoms are reflective of difficulty in breathing but with all vitals in normal limit. This points towards the psychological nature of difficult breathing and not organic.
It is good, as, had there been any real problem in lungs you might have needed many drugs or breathing monitoring device; and now you dont need them!
Now, the anxiety which had lead to all these needs to be sorted out. Check if you had any stressful event in recent past or was there any new drug started by you recntly or any reason which might have triggered this episode ?
Analysing the reason will help in managing the anxiety better and reducing the chances of further attacks.
It might happen that there is no reason found- in such cases we recommend deep breathing technique or may be any relaxation techniques to calm the mind. You should practice them on daily basis to help your self. This will also relieve the apprehension of getting another attack.
You may also start going for walks or start exercising or jogging to increase natural endorphins.
These non medicated mesaures help a lot if done properly. In some cases we need to start some anti anxiety drug (but still non medicated measures should continue).
If you have asthma you should avoid using propanolol and benzodiazapines (as they may trigger the attack).
I hope the reply helps.
Wish you speedy recovery!
Pelase feel free to ask more queries for any clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi,
Thank you for your response. My breathing feels alright now but my lungs still feel a bit sore. Could that be from the Ventolin or Anxiety?
I'm feeling a bit anxious about my lungs now. :(
Thanks.
Thank you for your response. My breathing feels alright now but my lungs still feel a bit sore. Could that be from the Ventolin or Anxiety?
I'm feeling a bit anxious about my lungs now. :(
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
its due to anxiety; go for light walk
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The breathing restored to normal but as you had had severe distress - so, for sometime the lungs might feel sore...its ok and it will hopefully get back to normal in some time on its own.
You can do deep relaxed breathing for now or go in a park and take a light walk...
you can also just sit there and breathe slowly and deeply. Doing this will help in reducing any remaining anxiety and also help in feeling good...lungs will also get back to normal state.
There is no harm done to your lungs, so please dont worry..its just the state of anxiety which creates unnecessary fears of small situations.
I hope the reply will help you.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
its due to anxiety; go for light walk
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The breathing restored to normal but as you had had severe distress - so, for sometime the lungs might feel sore...its ok and it will hopefully get back to normal in some time on its own.
You can do deep relaxed breathing for now or go in a park and take a light walk...
you can also just sit there and breathe slowly and deeply. Doing this will help in reducing any remaining anxiety and also help in feeling good...lungs will also get back to normal state.
There is no harm done to your lungs, so please dont worry..its just the state of anxiety which creates unnecessary fears of small situations.
I hope the reply will help you.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you again.
Sorry, just to clarify. I have pain/tightness/dull ache in the lungs on my back but I can breath okay. So this is still probably just anxiety?
Thanks.
Sorry, just to clarify. I have pain/tightness/dull ache in the lungs on my back but I can breath okay. So this is still probably just anxiety?
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
its anxiety; can try paracetamol tablet
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
That dull ache in the back can be due to various postures one make when he tries to breathe hard in case of difficult breathing...or can be due to tiredness ...
or simply coz of worry of having something.
As for now your tests are ok and there has not been any major consequence of breathing problem, so its more likely that back ache and soreness is due to anxiety.
However, you may wait dfor a day or thee and see if this gets ok, if not- then getting an x ray chest will rule out any problem in that region.
Try taking tablet paracetamol tablet if its hurting significantly.
Regards
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
its anxiety; can try paracetamol tablet
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
That dull ache in the back can be due to various postures one make when he tries to breathe hard in case of difficult breathing...or can be due to tiredness ...
or simply coz of worry of having something.
As for now your tests are ok and there has not been any major consequence of breathing problem, so its more likely that back ache and soreness is due to anxiety.
However, you may wait dfor a day or thee and see if this gets ok, if not- then getting an x ray chest will rule out any problem in that region.
Try taking tablet paracetamol tablet if its hurting significantly.
Regards
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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