What Could Cause Breathlessness And Cough Leading To Coughing Up Of Phlegm While Having The Habit Of Chewing Tobacco For Over 30 Years?

Posted on Sat, 4 Aug 2018

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

Sat, 4 Aug 2018 Answered on

Fri, 6 Jan 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : I have at times moments when I have to catch my breath, waking up from sleep gasping for air, and I am a longtime chewing tobacco user (since 15yrs old, now 53yrs old) The incidents are a strange sensation, because it feels like the lack of air originates from my throat, not my chest. Also, I have been coughing up thick white phlegm. What could the be, please?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You need to get ECG, 2D Echo, and a stress test done.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Prolonged tobacco chewing can cause heart diseases and this can cause gasping of air, suddenly waking up especially at night.

So consult the Cardiologist and get a blood pressure monitoring, ECG, 2D-Echo and stress test.

Another possibility is bronchitis because you also have mucus expectoration (thick white phlegm).

So you may also consult a Pulmonologist and get a clinical examination of the respiratory system and a PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) done.

In any case, you should quit tobacco chewing as soon as possible.

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

Regards

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