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What Causes Slight Cough With Shortness Of Breath?

Posted on Tue, 18 Mar 2014

Question: I have smoked off and on for 10 years. Lately having shortness of breath. Slight cough. Dr did chest x ray and listened to lungs. Oxygen was 100%. Said x ray looked perfect and lungs sound perfect. Should I seek second opinion or further test? Main concern is lung cancer. Also d dimer blood test normal. Would lung cancer show on X-ray? Dr said with my evaluation there is no need for concern of lung cancer.

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (7 hours later)

Brief Answer: It could be because of smoking or allergy. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX Thanks for posting your query on HCM. The slight cough and SOB you are having could be because of some infection you may have had in the recent past or it could be because of smoking-what we call smoker`s cough. Are you alergic to anything esp dust and smoke since even allergy can cause these symptoms. There doesn't seem to be any cause for concern for lung cancer. However, it`s advisable that you quit smoking as smoking can lead to many a diseases.

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

Follow up: Dr. Shashi Dangwal (6 hours later)

Thank you. I also have a huge history of anxiety, and now feel that could be some of it. I just wanted to know that if my Oxygen was good, lungs sound great and x ray is clear, if I should try to get a CT scan or if it is not needed.

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (20 hours later)

Brief Answer: As of now, I feel that there is no need for a CT c Detailed Answer: As of now, I feel that there is no need for a CT chest.

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

Follow up: Dr. Shashi Dangwal (26 hours later)

Can anxiety cause shortness of breath to just show up out of nowhere? It comes at the strangest times, and I am constantly sighing or yawning to make myself feel like I can breathe.

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (19 hours later)

Brief Answer: Yes, definitely. Detailed Answer: Yes, definitely anxiety can cause SOB and esp the kind described by you. But before we write it off as due to anxiety, I suggest you get a spirometry done and take a trial course of inhaler like aerocort and a tablet called montair lc. The SOB will improve with these if it is because of allergy and even smoking.

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