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What Causes Breathlessness?
Question: Hi. My daughter, age 14, has had a few health problems since birth, but nothing serious and nothing involving her lungs or heart. About one month ago, she did have a viral illness, but is well now. She has played basketball for a few years, but is playing at a higher level than she is used to. Three weeks now into the Spring league, at the past two practices, she has become out of breath to a point that she is in tears, and scared because she is unable to breathe. I don't want to make too much out of this, but wondering if she needs to be looked at. She has a pretty high tolerance of pain, but she said tonight that she is scared because she has never had this before.
Brief Answer:
Could be excercise induced
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing to healthcare magic.
From your description I consider two possibilities
A) exercise induced bronchoconstriction.
B) anemia
Check hemoglobin levels to rule out second possibility. If hemoglobin is normal , it's more likely due to the first one.
For exercise induced broncho constriction, taking albuterol imhaler before exercising and having a slow warm up to begin with should help.
If still no improvement get her evaluated fully.
Regards
Dr Arun
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Hi and thank you. Do you mean a type of asthma when you reference bronchoconstriction and what is the first doc she should see? Also, could her symptoms be due to a possible heart issue?
Brief Answer:
yes
Detailed Answer:
Yes its a type of asthma.
Consult a physician or pediatrician first.
It could be heart related too, like long qt syndrome.
Ecg should help identifying it.
Regards
Dr Arun
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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