What Causes Fear Of Death And Shortness Of Breath?

Posted on Wed, 27 Jul 2016

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

Wed, 27 Jul 2016 Answered on

Wed, 17 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I am 28 years old male and i goes into quite successful in my career but for few years i have developed phycological problem within me, fear of death. It sounds foolish type that i have grew up a phobia that some thing goes into my nose and chocked me. Suppose i have compelted my lunch or dinner, fear is that the food particle goses into my nose and this fear is incresing day by day now. I am trying to mediate but failed to overcome this fear. I help your advise and if any small particle went into nostrils , is there any problem may arose ? I have some times breathing problem also and when i spoke quickly for soemtimes , may feel shortness of breath. Please advise.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Nose will forcibly remove out the particle.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

I can understand your concern. First of all I'd like to tell you that physiology of body has numerous protective functions. Even if by chance foreign particle enters nose, due to protective reflexes it would be sneezed out. If it enters respiratory tube then cough reflex is there to move the particles out forcibly. Death of choking is seen commonly in children or intoxicated adults. So try to relax yourself, you are safe.

The fear and restlessness of choking you have is probably due to anxiety and this should be treated properly. Meditation is not working and in such situation I'd advise to visit a psychiatrist for anti anxiety drugs. Drug therapy with drugs like SSRIs will reduce the phobia like fear of choking. So remain relaxed death from choking is very rare.

Thanks, hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar