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Suggest Remedy For Shortness Of Breath With Abdominal Bloating, Pain And Pressure
Question: I am a 29 yr old female. Recently had my first child-he's 7 mos old. I gained 50 lbs during pregnancy and am still 30 lbs heavier then pre pregnancy. A week ago I exerted myself more then usual at work and became very short of breath. Since then I have been experiencing shortness of breath with any amount of exercise..even walking. Also a constant feeling of bloating and pressure in my upper abdomen as well as pain and pressure in the center of my upper back. I have also experienced swelling of the hands. I am concerned this may be heart related, but am wanting to make sure my concern is valid as I have experienced similar symptoms pre pregnancy that were milder and of shorter duration and was told it was nothing ..though no testing was done.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I passed carefully through your medical history and could say that it is important perform a careful differential diagnosis of different causes of your symptomatology:
- the hand swelling and chest pain could be related to low albumin. Although preeclampsia is a disorder which can occur up to 6 months after birth, it can not be excluded. Do you have leg swelling too? What are your actual blood pressure values?
- a cardiac disorder such as peripartum cardiomyopathy can not be excluded either.
- a backbone disorder, related to pregnancy and wrong position during nursing, could lead to back pain.
- a hiatal hernia or gastroesophageal reflux could explain the abdominal and chest discomfort, the bloating feeling.
- overweight could also explain shortness of breath while exertion too.
I recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure and refer those values to your attending physician.
It is important performing a careful physical examination and some tests:
- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound, to examine your cardiac function
- a chest X ray study and backbone X ray study
- blood lab tests (complete blood count, blood electrolytes, kidney and liver function tests, fasting glucose, PCR, sedimentation rate)
-urine analysis for possible microalbuminuria
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Best regards!
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I passed carefully through your medical history and could say that it is important perform a careful differential diagnosis of different causes of your symptomatology:
- the hand swelling and chest pain could be related to low albumin. Although preeclampsia is a disorder which can occur up to 6 months after birth, it can not be excluded. Do you have leg swelling too? What are your actual blood pressure values?
- a cardiac disorder such as peripartum cardiomyopathy can not be excluded either.
- a backbone disorder, related to pregnancy and wrong position during nursing, could lead to back pain.
- a hiatal hernia or gastroesophageal reflux could explain the abdominal and chest discomfort, the bloating feeling.
- overweight could also explain shortness of breath while exertion too.
I recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure and refer those values to your attending physician.
It is important performing a careful physical examination and some tests:
- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound, to examine your cardiac function
- a chest X ray study and backbone X ray study
- blood lab tests (complete blood count, blood electrolytes, kidney and liver function tests, fasting glucose, PCR, sedimentation rate)
-urine analysis for possible microalbuminuria
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Best regards!
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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