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What Causes Difficulty In Breathing?

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Posted on Sat, 18 Oct 2014
Question: I can't catch my breath sometimes while lying down. When lying lateral recumbent, everything goes to hell (on either side); within a few minutes I can feel my heart beating and I cannot catch my breath. I am 20 and this started several months ago. Went to the internal medicine doctor, he did an ECG, physical, etc and everything was fine, blood pressure and everything. He scheduled an echocardiogram but I don't have the money to pay for it... Also he doesn't believe me when I tell him that it's not damn anxiety--these are physical symptoms, not psychosomatic. Anyway what could this be... who should I go see?
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Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
you may need further investigations.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX thanks for your question on HCM. Since you are young and your ECG is normal I don't think you need Echocardiography for heart disease.
I can give you few differentials
1. Anaemia
2. Thyroid problem
3. Bronchitis.
Get done CBC (complete blood count) to rule out anaemia as this can cause breathing issues and palpitation.
Get done S. TSH level to rule out hyperthyroidism as this cause similar problems.
If both of these are normal I suggest you to consult pulmonologist and get done Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) to rule out bronchitis.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Dr. Drkaushal85

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 15005 Questions

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What Causes Difficulty In Breathing?

Brief Answer: you may need further investigations. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX thanks for your question on HCM. Since you are young and your ECG is normal I don't think you need Echocardiography for heart disease. I can give you few differentials 1. Anaemia 2. Thyroid problem 3. Bronchitis. Get done CBC (complete blood count) to rule out anaemia as this can cause breathing issues and palpitation. Get done S. TSH level to rule out hyperthyroidism as this cause similar problems. If both of these are normal I suggest you to consult pulmonologist and get done Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) to rule out bronchitis. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.