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Have Breathlessness. Have COPD, Diabetes, Thyroid, Hypertension, Sleeping Disorder. Under Medication. What Is The Cause?
Hi,
I am a 73 year old suffering from the following diseases: COPD, Diabetes, Thyroid, Hypertension. Also, I do not get proper sleep and have to sometimes take sleeping pills. Though my SpO2 levels are around 95%-96% but still I feel breathlessness when not on Oxygen supply. What might be the possible causes for the same. I am taking the treatment: (Insulin for Diabetes and Oxygen, BIPAP, Inhalers) etc.
Kindly suggest.
I am a 73 year old suffering from the following diseases: COPD, Diabetes, Thyroid, Hypertension. Also, I do not get proper sleep and have to sometimes take sleeping pills. Though my SpO2 levels are around 95%-96% but still I feel breathlessness when not on Oxygen supply. What might be the possible causes for the same. I am taking the treatment: (Insulin for Diabetes and Oxygen, BIPAP, Inhalers) etc.
Kindly suggest.
posted on
Thu, 18 Apr 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 18 Apr 2013
Answered on
Thu, 18 Apr 2013
Last reviewed on
Dear Sir
thanks for writing to us.
An oxygen saturation which is normal or near normal does not mean that you will not feel breathless. it is the effort, which you have to exert to maintain that saturation, which decides how breathless you will feel. Home oxygen therapy and BiPAP are one of the few interventions which prolong life. Please continue with them. if you continue to feel breathless , please consult you pulmonlogist. There can be other possible contributors to your breathlessness like diabetic and hypertensive heart disease which can only be assessed by your physician.
sincerely
sukhvinder
thanks for writing to us.
An oxygen saturation which is normal or near normal does not mean that you will not feel breathless. it is the effort, which you have to exert to maintain that saturation, which decides how breathless you will feel. Home oxygen therapy and BiPAP are one of the few interventions which prolong life. Please continue with them. if you continue to feel breathless , please consult you pulmonlogist. There can be other possible contributors to your breathlessness like diabetic and hypertensive heart disease which can only be assessed by your physician.
sincerely
sukhvinder
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