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What Causes Difficulty Breathing?
Question: I have been having difficulty breathing - exhaling and inhaling. I have smoked roughly a pack a week for many years and I am trying to quit, as this feeling lessons after not smoking for several days. It's been 3 days since I've smoked but still have shortness of breath. I'm worried I have emphysema. I'm only 36 years old. I exercise regularly and I am not overweight. I'm really scared. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Smoking cessation would be ery helpful!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this breathing difficulty that you have reported. I understand you have been smoking and of course worried about the possible consequences of smoking among which is emphysema. You are right to be concerned about this but at this time we need more information to identify what the exact cause is.
I will suggest that you get evaluated by your primary care doctor. A comprehensive clinical exam followed by at least an x-ray would shed more light on whether emphysema or any other complication is of concern at this time. This would help orient us on how to address this difficult breathing.
Quitting smoking at this time is the best way forward if we have to prevent diseases caused by smoking. Whether you already have a complication or not related to smoking, quitting would always be a plus. Congratulations on taking on this and should you have any difficulties, talk to us, talk to your doctor an good friends on how to cope and finally come out of it.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Smoking cessation would be ery helpful!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this breathing difficulty that you have reported. I understand you have been smoking and of course worried about the possible consequences of smoking among which is emphysema. You are right to be concerned about this but at this time we need more information to identify what the exact cause is.
I will suggest that you get evaluated by your primary care doctor. A comprehensive clinical exam followed by at least an x-ray would shed more light on whether emphysema or any other complication is of concern at this time. This would help orient us on how to address this difficult breathing.
Quitting smoking at this time is the best way forward if we have to prevent diseases caused by smoking. Whether you already have a complication or not related to smoking, quitting would always be a plus. Congratulations on taking on this and should you have any difficulties, talk to us, talk to your doctor an good friends on how to cope and finally come out of it.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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