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Suggest Treatment For Severe Shortness Of Breath While Sleeping

Posted on Sat, 2 Jul 2016

Question: I have been having shortness of breath while sleeping. What does this mean and what can I do about it?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
We should rule out heart and lung related causes.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.

Breathlessness in sleeping is commonly due to heart and lung related diseases.. Heart diseases like heart failure, coronary artery disease (CAD) and lung diseases like asthma and bronchitis are common causes for this.

So better to consult a doctor and get done
1. ECG and 2D Echo to rule out heart diseases.
2. Clinical examination of respiratory system and PFT (pulmonary function test) for the diagnosis of asthma and bronchitis.

Please let me know
1. Do you have hypertension?
2. Do you have diabetes?

Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.

Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 minutes later)

I have hypertension which is controlled with medication. I do not have diabetes. I have read that the shortness of breath could be a sign of sleep apnea. Is this a possibility? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Are you obese?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, sleep apnea can be the cause.
But it is more associated with obesity.
So please let me know
1. Your height
2. Your weight
3. Are you obese?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (12 minutes later)

I am 5'5" and weigh 160lbs. I know that I am overweight but I don't think it is in the obese category.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do you smoke?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, you are in obesity category.
Chances of sleep apnea is more when patient is in obese category with BMI (body mass index) more than 30.
Please let me know.
1. Do you smoke?
2. Do you take alcohol?
3. Do you have snoring at night?
Please reply to me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

I calculated my bmi as 26.6. I don't smoke and have an occasional glass of wine. I do snore at night.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry for sleep apnea.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, I know your BMI and therefore I was written that you are in over weight category, not in obese group.
So chances or sleep apnea are less.
You are also not having snoring.
So sleep apnea is unlikely in your case.
It's good that you are not a smoker.
Please let me know
1. Do you have wheezing like sound frome the chest while having breathlessness?
2. Do you have breathlessness while exertion (like running or brisk walking or climbing stairs) during day time?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions,so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (14 minutes later)

I do snore. However I do not have wheezing while breathless. I do not have breathlessness during exertion during the day.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Sorry I misread your reply.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
I am extremely sorry for my mistake.
I misread your last reply about snoring.
Sorry again for that.
So you are overweight and have snoring.
So there is possibility of sleep apnea in your case.
So please let me know
1. Do you have morning headache?
2. Do you have excessive daytime sleepiness?
3. Do you have double chin? I mean more fat in neck and submendibular region?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (30 minutes later)

No problem. I don't have morning headaches but I do have daytime sleepiness and yes I have a double chin and fat in the neck.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Have you ever undergone thyroid function test and hormone levels?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Possibility of sleep apnea (early) is more in your case.
We should first rule out causes of obesity in your case. And we work on it, we can prevent further development of sleep apnea.
So please let me know
1. Have you ever undergone thyroid function test to rule out hypothyroidism?
2. Have you ever undergone hormone levels?
3. Have you achieved menopause?
4. Do you have to wake up in night frequently due to snoring and choking like sensation?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (34 minutes later)

Yes I have had thyroid test and it was fine. I don't know about hormone levels. I have had a hysterectomy and I still have my ovaries. I do wake several times a night due to choking like sensation.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get sleep study done.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion you should definitely get sleep study done to confirm sleep apnea.
Please let me know
1. Have you ever consulted sleep specialist or pulmonologist?
2. Has any one advised you sleep study?
3. Are you motivated for weight loss?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina