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What Causes Shallow Breathing And Discomfort Abdomen During Deep Breathing?
Posted on
Thu, 12 Mar 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 12 Mar 2015
Answered on
Mon, 30 Mar 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi Dr
I had a question in regards to my breathing. I have been dealing with a breathing problem for quite some time now and its been a real nuisance. To further explain, i am unable to breathe deeply. For most of the day im taking shallow breaths and when i do my stomach extends. When i practice deep breathing it almost feels like i have tension in my abdomen area. The shallow breathing has caused me to feel anxious for most of the time as well as lack of concentration. Im confused as to what can be causing this or if this may be due to something regaed my GI system.
I had Cushings Disease last year which is a a Tumor in the pituitary gland. My body was overproducing a hormone called Cortisol. I am in remission now. Im not sure if thos could of contributed to the breathing problem.
Also, when im seated or when i eat a meal it becames much harder to breathe through my belly.
I had a question in regards to my breathing. I have been dealing with a breathing problem for quite some time now and its been a real nuisance. To further explain, i am unable to breathe deeply. For most of the day im taking shallow breaths and when i do my stomach extends. When i practice deep breathing it almost feels like i have tension in my abdomen area. The shallow breathing has caused me to feel anxious for most of the time as well as lack of concentration. Im confused as to what can be causing this or if this may be due to something regaed my GI system.
I had Cushings Disease last year which is a a Tumor in the pituitary gland. My body was overproducing a hormone called Cortisol. I am in remission now. Im not sure if thos could of contributed to the breathing problem.
Also, when im seated or when i eat a meal it becames much harder to breathe through my belly.
Brief Answer:
You might be having GERD.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
In my opinion you are having GERD ( gastroesophageal reflux disease ).
GERD is common in cushing's disease.
It is due to laxity of gastroesophageal sphincter.
Because of this the acid of the stomach tends to come up in the esophagus and cause the symptoms.
This can also cause shallow breathing, abdominal pressure on deep breathing , worsening symptoms after meal etc.
So possibility of GERD is more in your case.
But better to rule out pulmonary causes for your shallow, rapid breathing.
So get done chest x ray and PFT ( pulmonary function test ) to rule out pulmonary causes like bronchitis or asthma.
If both are normal then no need to worry much for pulmonary causes.
I want to know few more things.
1. What is your height?
2. What is your weight? Are you obese?
3. Are you taking any treatment for this?
4. Do you smoke?
5. Do you take alcohol?
6. Do you have burning pain in upper abdomen? Do you feel shortness of breath (breathlessness) on exertion?
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.
You might be having GERD.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
In my opinion you are having GERD ( gastroesophageal reflux disease ).
GERD is common in cushing's disease.
It is due to laxity of gastroesophageal sphincter.
Because of this the acid of the stomach tends to come up in the esophagus and cause the symptoms.
This can also cause shallow breathing, abdominal pressure on deep breathing , worsening symptoms after meal etc.
So possibility of GERD is more in your case.
But better to rule out pulmonary causes for your shallow, rapid breathing.
So get done chest x ray and PFT ( pulmonary function test ) to rule out pulmonary causes like bronchitis or asthma.
If both are normal then no need to worry much for pulmonary causes.
I want to know few more things.
1. What is your height?
2. What is your weight? Are you obese?
3. Are you taking any treatment for this?
4. Do you smoke?
5. Do you take alcohol?
6. Do you have burning pain in upper abdomen? Do you feel shortness of breath (breathlessness) on exertion?
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Height : 5'9
Age: 25
Weight: 178(not obese)
Currently not taking any medication for GERD.
No Smoking
No Alcohol
No burning pain in upper abdomen
when i breathe in deep it feels like my stomach has tension.
I am in no pain whatsoever. its just an uncomfortable feeling when im trying to breath.
I dont know if this might help but its hard for me to do a proper sit up due to the tension in my abdomen.
I remeber seeing a GI doctor during the time when i had cushings disease. At that time i was unaware of the disease but the doctor did say I had alot of gas when he felt my stomach. I believe he gave me some medication for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Medication was called Linzess. I did not take the medication because i soon discovered that i had cushings disease and thought that was causing the problem
Age: 25
Weight: 178(not obese)
Currently not taking any medication for GERD.
No Smoking
No Alcohol
No burning pain in upper abdomen
when i breathe in deep it feels like my stomach has tension.
I am in no pain whatsoever. its just an uncomfortable feeling when im trying to breath.
I dont know if this might help but its hard for me to do a proper sit up due to the tension in my abdomen.
I remeber seeing a GI doctor during the time when i had cushings disease. At that time i was unaware of the disease but the doctor did say I had alot of gas when he felt my stomach. I believe he gave me some medication for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Medication was called Linzess. I did not take the medication because i soon discovered that i had cushings disease and thought that was causing the problem
Brief Answer:
GERD can cause gaseous distension.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
And thanks for the information.
In my opinion you are having mostly GERD.
Because gaseous feeling and distension can be due to untreated GERD.
Tension in abdomen while sitting can also be the feature of GERD.
Do you have undergone ultrasound examination of abdomen?
Are you having stressful life?
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.
GERD can cause gaseous distension.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
And thanks for the information.
In my opinion you are having mostly GERD.
Because gaseous feeling and distension can be due to untreated GERD.
Tension in abdomen while sitting can also be the feature of GERD.
Do you have undergone ultrasound examination of abdomen?
Are you having stressful life?
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ive had a CT scan but that was to see if my tumor was located in my adrenal glands.
I am having a stressful life. When i had cushings i was not able to manage stress due to high cortisol levels. Now that i am in remission i have started exercising again and eating healthy. Ive been stressed before but never had trouble with the breathing until i had cushings.
If its GERD what type of doctor should i see
I am having a stressful life. When i had cushings i was not able to manage stress due to high cortisol levels. Now that i am in remission i have started exercising again and eating healthy. Ive been stressed before but never had trouble with the breathing until i had cushings.
If its GERD what type of doctor should i see
Brief Answer:
You should consult Gastroenterologist.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Stress is one of the biggest risk factor for GERD.
It is causative as well as aggravating factor for GERD.
For GERD , you need to consult Gastroenterologist (GI doctor).
For better control of GERD, try to follow these lifestyle modifications.
1. Avoid hot and spicy food.
2. Avoid stress and tension.
3. Avoid large meals, instead take frequent small meals.
4. Start Proton pump inhibitors.
5. Go for walk after meals.
6. Keep 2 - 3 pillows under head in bed to prevent reflux.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
You should consult Gastroenterologist.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Stress is one of the biggest risk factor for GERD.
It is causative as well as aggravating factor for GERD.
For GERD , you need to consult Gastroenterologist (GI doctor).
For better control of GERD, try to follow these lifestyle modifications.
1. Avoid hot and spicy food.
2. Avoid stress and tension.
3. Avoid large meals, instead take frequent small meals.
4. Start Proton pump inhibitors.
5. Go for walk after meals.
6. Keep 2 - 3 pillows under head in bed to prevent reflux.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the reply.
I have looked all the symptoms for GERD and it doesnt seem like i have most of what it says.
I would also like to point out that in the morning upon waking up is the easiest time for me to breath deeply.
I have looked all the symptoms for GERD and it doesnt seem like i have most of what it says.
I would also like to point out that in the morning upon waking up is the easiest time for me to breath deeply.
Brief Answer:
Gaseous feeling is common in GERD.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Sorry for the late reply.
It is not compulsory to have all the symptoms of GERD to diagnose it.
Gaseous feeling, stomach tension etc are seen in GERD.
In the morning, symptoms of GERD are less because, the stomach is empty. So obviously the reflux is also not seen.
And you already said that your symptoms are more after meals.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Gaseous feeling is common in GERD.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Sorry for the late reply.
It is not compulsory to have all the symptoms of GERD to diagnose it.
Gaseous feeling, stomach tension etc are seen in GERD.
In the morning, symptoms of GERD are less because, the stomach is empty. So obviously the reflux is also not seen.
And you already said that your symptoms are more after meals.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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