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What Causes Sudden Shortness Of Breath?

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Posted on Mon, 19 Dec 2016
Question: Do you know what would cause me to lose my breath for just a split second? I have had my heart checked recently and they said everything was fine. It seems to happen more when I change levels like climbing into my truck or sitting down into my chair. I fell like there is gunk in my lungs but I have been on antibiotics and don't seem to cough up anything.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Without being able to examine you or see your records, I can make a few suggestions of what might be going on if your stress test was normal:

1. Could be spasm of your diaphragm - a large muscle in your abdomen under your lungs that is involved in breathing. I am thinking of this because your symptom seem to come on with changes in body position.

2. Could be brief bronchospasm - constriction of the airways going into your lungs. Sometimes these can be "twitchy" and constrict for minor reasons.

3. Anxiety - can cause all sorts of symptoms including a feeling of gasping.

Does any of this make sense for your situation?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
I read that it is possible to get the bronchospasm from decongestants. I have had this feeling over the last few years after taking decongestants. Could they also be caused by Cefdinir?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this.

Detailed Answer:
I wouldn't expect it from the antibiotic unless you are sensitive to it, and then you would have more symptoms than an occasional momentary breath catching episode.

Decongestants can dry up secretions in the airways, and so this might be a possibility, especially if you notice it correlates with taking them.

Another thought, though, is that during times that you feel the need for a decongestant, the underlying problem that you need the decongestant for may be triggering this, such as if there is post nasal drainage going down your throat and a bit of it is irritating your lower airways.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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What Causes Sudden Shortness Of Breath?

Brief Answer: Information Detailed Answer: Hello, Without being able to examine you or see your records, I can make a few suggestions of what might be going on if your stress test was normal: 1. Could be spasm of your diaphragm - a large muscle in your abdomen under your lungs that is involved in breathing. I am thinking of this because your symptom seem to come on with changes in body position. 2. Could be brief bronchospasm - constriction of the airways going into your lungs. Sometimes these can be "twitchy" and constrict for minor reasons. 3. Anxiety - can cause all sorts of symptoms including a feeling of gasping. Does any of this make sense for your situation?