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What Causes Breathlessness, Sweating And Chest Discomfort?
Question: Hi Doctor. Kindly do read through the medical history and current medication column to get a background of the patient. Patient has been a very heavy drinker and tobacco consumer for the last 20 years along with having a very volatile mental nature/thinking (ex. Occassional yearly bouts of continuous heavy binge drinking for 4-5 days without consuming any food till the patient reaches a stage of hospitalization, tends to overthink and take too much tensions for small things, anti-social, very negative and pessimistic outlook towards life, sleeplessness in absence of alcohol, tends to shout and remains irritated, refuses to listen to doctor and family's advice). Patient has occassionally tried to quit alcohol permanently but has failed due to lack of self-control after 2-3 weeks of trying on 3 occassions till date in last 4 yrs. Offlate since last 15 days, has experienced attack/fit of sorts for 3 times which has lasted for around 25-30 mins with following symptoms - breathlessness, heavy breathing and sweating, heavy coughing with no discharge, feeling of vomiting with no discharge, pain/heaviness sensation on left side of chest, blockage of left nostril.
Kindly advice.
Kindly advice.
Brief Answer:
There is possibility of heart related ailment
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
From the available description it appears that recent episodes of breathlessness, sweating and chest discomfort are due to cardiac ailment.
Chronic use of alcohol may lead to development of cardiomayopathy in which heart muscle do not function properly.
The second possibility for him is cardiac ischemia (decreased blood supply in compare to requirement) which may be responsible for the current symptom clusters. It is also possible to have disturbed electrical conduction to his heart.
Having said this in my view you need to visit a cardiologist as soon as possible so the damage can be curtained to his heart at earliest stage. Your cardiologist will take electrocardiogram and some other tests like chest X ray, cardiac enzymes and echocardiography to confirm the diagnosis.
Regarding addiction i feel that other than alcohol and nicotine he is suffering from high anxiety that could be responsible for his addiction problem. It is quite common for people to self medicate for their anxiety and depressive symptoms. Presence of sleep problem is pointing toward some underlying problem. He needs to be evaluated for the possible reason for his addiction.
What I can suggest here to visit a hospital where both psychiatrist and cardiologist are available. He needs to be taken care by different specialty doctors at same time. The problem of addiction, anxiety and heart can not be treated in isolation.
'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help".
Thanks
There is possibility of heart related ailment
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
From the available description it appears that recent episodes of breathlessness, sweating and chest discomfort are due to cardiac ailment.
Chronic use of alcohol may lead to development of cardiomayopathy in which heart muscle do not function properly.
The second possibility for him is cardiac ischemia (decreased blood supply in compare to requirement) which may be responsible for the current symptom clusters. It is also possible to have disturbed electrical conduction to his heart.
Having said this in my view you need to visit a cardiologist as soon as possible so the damage can be curtained to his heart at earliest stage. Your cardiologist will take electrocardiogram and some other tests like chest X ray, cardiac enzymes and echocardiography to confirm the diagnosis.
Regarding addiction i feel that other than alcohol and nicotine he is suffering from high anxiety that could be responsible for his addiction problem. It is quite common for people to self medicate for their anxiety and depressive symptoms. Presence of sleep problem is pointing toward some underlying problem. He needs to be evaluated for the possible reason for his addiction.
What I can suggest here to visit a hospital where both psychiatrist and cardiologist are available. He needs to be taken care by different specialty doctors at same time. The problem of addiction, anxiety and heart can not be treated in isolation.
'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help".
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Thank you so much Dr. XXXXXXX for your simple and informative reply. Can you also please recommend me a good doctor/clinic/hospital in XXXXXXX where I can get both psychiatrist and cardiologist for reasonable expenses?
Brief Answer:
You can visit medical college
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back to me.
Although there are multiple options in XXXXXXX where you can see both a psychiatrist and cardiologist as single place, But I will recommend you to visit medical college in Chowk area. Both the department of psychiatry and cardiology are adjacent to each other and you can avail all facilities at one place.
We at the department of Geriatric psychiatry will happy to help you to the all possible extent.
Thanks and Regards
Dr Ashok
You can visit medical college
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back to me.
Although there are multiple options in XXXXXXX where you can see both a psychiatrist and cardiologist as single place, But I will recommend you to visit medical college in Chowk area. Both the department of psychiatry and cardiology are adjacent to each other and you can avail all facilities at one place.
We at the department of Geriatric psychiatry will happy to help you to the all possible extent.
Thanks and Regards
Dr Ashok
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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