Suggest Treatment For Sudden Shortness Of Breath After Smoking Marijuana

Posted on Thu, 31 Aug 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 Answered on

Wed, 20 Sep 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I am 31 years of age i have been smoking marijuana for 7 years every once in a while. I do not smoke cigarettes. For the last two weeks i fjnd my self short of breath when i excert myself. I do not do any cardio in the last 6 months and the air quality where i live is horribe. I went to my dr he sais my oxygen level is 99 and when excerting myself 97. I am having a chest x ray today. Does this rume out anything serious like a copd and if so what can be the issue

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You might be having early onset COPD.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
No need to worry for Spo2 level as it is normal.
Since you are chronic smoker and having shortness of breath on exertion, possibility of early COPD is more.
So get done PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) to know the stage of COPD.
Please let me know if you had PFT or not.
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 (25 minutes later)

Will chest x ray determine this as well my dr said that this is the next step i dont think i have any copd i think lings are weak im too young for copd and dont smoke cogarettes

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Any smoke can cause COPD.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.

I can understand your concern.

Any smoke can cause COPD.
And smokers do develop COPD at the younger age. So better to get the PFT done first to look into it further.

Please let me know if you have consulted the Pulmonologist yet or not.

I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health.
Thanks.

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