Hi,I am Dr. Shanthi.E (General & Family Physician). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
I recently visited my doctor for a seemingly shortness of breath issue. When she checked my lungs for apparently unknown obstructions there didn t seem to be any problems. This morning during breakfast I was about to reach for the coffee, and all of a sudden I began gasping for breath as though I had just ran one hundred meters. During the exam yesterday the Doc said that my lungs appeared clear (routine exam with stethoscope).
Wed, 10 May 2017
General & Family Physician, Dr. Vasudha's Response
Hi, Thanks for the query. I understand your concern. The breathlessness ranging to gasping can be due to- -lung obstructions like chronic bronchitis/asthma or emphysema/pneumonia. -Some times low haemoglobin (severe anemia or heart problem causing low pumping of blood to cause less oxygen supply to body can result in gasping.. -problems of nerve stimulation of lungs causing defective breathing ..leading to gasping for better respiration &oxygen supply to body(seen in problems at brain.. multiple sclerosis/spinal problem due to nerve compression by vertebral or disc prolapse) * You should go for XRay or MRI of lungs to exclude any lung lesion causing the problem. Hb% &cbc would explain possibility of oxygenation defects. MRI of brain or spine would help in finding nerve problem as a cause. *Complete investigations to find out the cause followed by cause specific medication eould help you in getting rid of the problem. *Till you consult chestphysician/neurophysician you should- -Take rest. Avoid physical or psychological stress. Eat light healthy diet.. avoiding known allergens. Keep a small oxygen cylinder at hand to relieve you in an emergency. Thanks.
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How Can severe Breathlessness Be Treated?
Hi, Thanks for the query. I understand your concern. The breathlessness ranging to gasping can be due to- -lung obstructions like chronic bronchitis/asthma or emphysema/pneumonia. -Some times low haemoglobin (severe anemia or heart problem causing low pumping of blood to cause less oxygen supply to body can result in gasping.. -problems of nerve stimulation of lungs causing defective breathing ..leading to gasping for better respiration &oxygen supply to body(seen in problems at brain.. multiple sclerosis/spinal problem due to nerve compression by vertebral or disc prolapse) * You should go for XRay or MRI of lungs to exclude any lung lesion causing the problem. Hb% &cbc would explain possibility of oxygenation defects. MRI of brain or spine would help in finding nerve problem as a cause. *Complete investigations to find out the cause followed by cause specific medication eould help you in getting rid of the problem. *Till you consult chestphysician/neurophysician you should- -Take rest. Avoid physical or psychological stress. Eat light healthy diet.. avoiding known allergens. Keep a small oxygen cylinder at hand to relieve you in an emergency. Thanks.