Why Shortness Of Breath Throughout The Day But Worse In The Middle Of The Night ?

Posted on Wed, 17 Jun 2020

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

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 Answered on

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : Please help I’m 33 and healthy I got sick one month ago and never felt the same since. here are my symptoms:
Upper chest crackling at night
Night sweats
Shortness of breath
Upper back pain
Shortness of breath throughout the day but worse in the middle of the night ( when I try to take a deep breath upper chest crackles)
- no nose mucus at all I usually blow my nose every morning but now I don’t.
Went to ER they did blood tests and chest X-ray and said I’m fine but I know somethings not right and also about a week before my left lymph node or gland on my neck was swollen but went down 2 days later.

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Some more information please.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Sandra2ann2,
Thanks for the query.I request you to send me more information about your illness.
-Is there fever(low or high grade)
-Any accompanning cough(dry/productive)
-Any known allergies /smoking/ worm infestations/skin infections /repeated cold?
- Exposure to excessive cold/dust/fumes/chemicals?
- Family history of asthma?
Any thing else you want to inform?
Knowing these details would help me answer your query more specifically.
Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Vasudha (12 hours later)

no to fever, cough, allergies, exposure and no history of asthma.
what could it be? about 2 weeks ago i went to er and blood test came back ok. chest x ray was ok and ct scan came out ok. could it be that it was to early to see anything wrong? should i go back? the discomfort is now in my upper chest.

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need reinvestigations & second opinion.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Sandra2ann2,
Thanks for the the information.
The imaging investigations may not help in diagnosis in early stage...but blood tests do help.
From that point of view & your increasing symptoms..I would suggest a second opinion for the whole issue.
Your crackling chest,night sweats & lymph node in neck point to possible lung infection ,while short breaths& crackling can doubt for possible heart involvement
Whatever it is..it's a short illness..&so early evaluation would be guarenty for earliest recovery.
In this scenario I would advise extensive physical check up & investigations for allergy,lung infection,heart problem.
Consultation of an expert physician for primary evaluation & refferal to expert( heart specialist or chest physician)..as per need , should be a proper step taken.
Till then..self care-
-Take rest, eat easily digestible food,drink sufficient warm water.
-You can take over the counter tab.Derriphyllin for breathing trouble.
I hope that answers your query.Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng