What Could Cause Breathlessness And Cough Leading To Coughing Up Of Phlegm While Having The Habit Of Chewing Tobacco For Over 30 Years?
Question: I have at times moments when I have to catch my breath, waking up from sleep gasping for air, and I am a longtime chewing tobacco user (since 15yrs old, now 53yrs old) The incidents are a strange sensation, because it feels like the lack of air originates from my throat, not my chest. Also, I have been coughing up thick white phlegm. What could the be, please?
Brief Answer:
You need to get ECG, 2D Echo, and a stress test done.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Prolonged tobacco chewing can cause heart diseases and this can cause gasping of air, suddenly waking up especially at night.
So consult the Cardiologist and get a blood pressure monitoring, ECG, 2D-Echo and stress test.
Another possibility is bronchitis because you also have mucus expectoration (thick white phlegm).
So you may also consult a Pulmonologist and get a clinical examination of the respiratory system and a PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) done.
In any case, you should quit tobacco chewing as soon as possible.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Regards
You need to get ECG, 2D Echo, and a stress test done.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Prolonged tobacco chewing can cause heart diseases and this can cause gasping of air, suddenly waking up especially at night.
So consult the Cardiologist and get a blood pressure monitoring, ECG, 2D-Echo and stress test.
Another possibility is bronchitis because you also have mucus expectoration (thick white phlegm).
So you may also consult a Pulmonologist and get a clinical examination of the respiratory system and a PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) done.
In any case, you should quit tobacco chewing as soon as possible.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
The User accepted the expert's answer
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