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What Causes Breathing Difficulty?
Question: i cant breath properly. its been getting worse over the last few weeks and this last few days its very bad. its as though my diaphragm and throat are constantly in spasm. if I try to breathe deep it makes it worse, but it just wont stop, im very afraid.
Brief Answer:
Reevaluation imperative by your dr
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
If the antibiotics are not working, it might be an issue with the dosage, appropriateness of the prescribed antibiotic, resistance to the drug prescribed or the fact that your condition is not due to an infection.
A proper evaluation to check for fever, crackles on lung exam , raised white blood cells on a complete blood count and raised C reactive protein levels could indicate a bacterial infection and justify antibiotic use. If these are absent, you might require a chest X ray.
Other conditions like Asthma, especially if it runs in the family, diaghpramtic hernia and gastroesophagal reflux disease, in case or higher upper abdominal pain and eructations should be considered.
A proper clinical review, Chest X ray, Peak flow, oxygen saturation, complete blood count and C Reactive protein measures and baseline things to do to know if its is actually a bacterial infection and if it deserves antibiotics or not, and which adapted antibiotics.
I suggest you consult your doctor or pulmonologist if possible.
Kind regards,
Dr Bain
Reevaluation imperative by your dr
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
If the antibiotics are not working, it might be an issue with the dosage, appropriateness of the prescribed antibiotic, resistance to the drug prescribed or the fact that your condition is not due to an infection.
A proper evaluation to check for fever, crackles on lung exam , raised white blood cells on a complete blood count and raised C reactive protein levels could indicate a bacterial infection and justify antibiotic use. If these are absent, you might require a chest X ray.
Other conditions like Asthma, especially if it runs in the family, diaghpramtic hernia and gastroesophagal reflux disease, in case or higher upper abdominal pain and eructations should be considered.
A proper clinical review, Chest X ray, Peak flow, oxygen saturation, complete blood count and C Reactive protein measures and baseline things to do to know if its is actually a bacterial infection and if it deserves antibiotics or not, and which adapted antibiotics.
I suggest you consult your doctor or pulmonologist if possible.
Kind regards,
Dr Bain
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I also have a cough and painful ribs on left hand side both back and front. Could ut be collapsed lung?
Brief Answer:
Possible, but very unlikely in your case
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the follow up.
It is difficult to think of a collapsed lung at this stage. A chest X ray is in my opinion very important to be carried out. A proper clinical review and above cited tests would be most useful.
Lung collapse or atelectasis usually occurs after surgery , pain dyspnoea, respiratory difficulties and bluish coloration of the hands, feet and mouth (cyanosis) is usually seen. A physical examination would detect reduced breath sounds around the collapsed lung area. In my opinion, you really do not present any risk factors for this condition to be likely.
However, a physical examination and chest X ray initially would suffice. Kind regards,
Dr Bain
Possible, but very unlikely in your case
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the follow up.
It is difficult to think of a collapsed lung at this stage. A chest X ray is in my opinion very important to be carried out. A proper clinical review and above cited tests would be most useful.
Lung collapse or atelectasis usually occurs after surgery , pain dyspnoea, respiratory difficulties and bluish coloration of the hands, feet and mouth (cyanosis) is usually seen. A physical examination would detect reduced breath sounds around the collapsed lung area. In my opinion, you really do not present any risk factors for this condition to be likely.
However, a physical examination and chest X ray initially would suffice. Kind regards,
Dr Bain
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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