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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can severe Breathlessness Be Treated?

I recently visited my doctor for a seemingly shortness of breath issue. When she checked my lungs for apparently unknown obstructions there didn t seem to be any problems. This morning during breakfast I was about to reach for the coffee, and all of a sudden I began gasping for breath as though I had just ran one hundred meters. During the exam yesterday the Doc said that my lungs appeared clear (routine exam with stethoscope).
posted on Wed, 12 Apr 2017
Twitter Tue, 9 May 2017 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 10 May 2017 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for the query. I understand your concern.
The breathlessness ranging to gasping can be due to-
-lung obstructions like chronic bronchitis/asthma or emphysema/pneumonia.
-Some times low haemoglobin (severe anemia or heart problem causing low pumping of blood to cause less oxygen supply to body can result in gasping..
-problems of nerve stimulation of lungs causing defective breathing ..leading to gasping for better respiration &oxygen supply to body(seen in problems at brain.. multiple sclerosis/spinal problem due to nerve compression by vertebral or disc prolapse)
* You should go for XRay or MRI of lungs to exclude any lung lesion causing the problem.
Hb% &cbc would explain possibility of oxygenation defects.
MRI of brain or spine would help in finding nerve problem as a cause.
*Complete investigations to find out the cause followed by cause specific medication eould help you in getting rid of the problem.
*Till you consult chestphysician/neurophysician
you should-
-Take rest. Avoid physical or psychological stress. Eat light healthy diet.. avoiding known allergens.
Keep a small oxygen cylinder at hand to relieve you in an emergency.
Thanks.
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How Can severe Breathlessness Be Treated?

Hi, Thanks for the query. I understand your concern. The breathlessness ranging to gasping can be due to- -lung obstructions like chronic bronchitis/asthma or emphysema/pneumonia. -Some times low haemoglobin (severe anemia or heart problem causing low pumping of blood to cause less oxygen supply to body can result in gasping.. -problems of nerve stimulation of lungs causing defective breathing ..leading to gasping for better respiration &oxygen supply to body(seen in problems at brain.. multiple sclerosis/spinal problem due to nerve compression by vertebral or disc prolapse) * You should go for XRay or MRI of lungs to exclude any lung lesion causing the problem. Hb% &cbc would explain possibility of oxygenation defects. MRI of brain or spine would help in finding nerve problem as a cause. *Complete investigations to find out the cause followed by cause specific medication eould help you in getting rid of the problem. *Till you consult chestphysician/neurophysician you should- -Take rest. Avoid physical or psychological stress. Eat light healthy diet.. avoiding known allergens. Keep a small oxygen cylinder at hand to relieve you in an emergency. Thanks.