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What Causes Severe Shortness Of Breath?
Question: Hi, I'm a 21 year old male. I've been having some experiences that I'm unable to identify the cause of for a long time now and I really need help. I've been having shortness of breath which happens randomly and with excersion...i think caffeine makes this worse too. The shortness of breath Is really bad and it started randomly when I was at rest one day just sitting down watching a movie and all the sudden I couldn't get a breath like there was no more room in my lungs. I also have heart flutters randomly that do tend to happen more when I'm caffeinated or drink alchohal it feels like a machine gun because it beats super fast for a second...and when I exercise sometimes my heart will just stop beating after a hard heavy beat and then start again. I also see spots blurs and flashes that occur sometimes with the palpitations. Along with all this I keep getting lightheaded and seeing stars super easy and for almost no reason like just standing for about a minute. During periods of time where I'm caffeinated daily these symptoms are worse. I've had a few test done but they were all done during periods of time when I wasn't using any caffeine or alchohal at all and there where generally less symptoms. Recently I've gone on a caffeine cycle and this stuff is happening more. The thing that's new that concerns me a little more is that I have some coming and going pain in my left arm in the wrist hand and inner arm and i do experience pain in my chest but that coul be do to a muscle pull in my stomach because when i bend over a certain way sometimes my stomach tear and the main spot in my chest that hurts both hurt at the same time, so i dont know if that is related. Those are the things that have been going on for a long and seem to get worse. Thank you for reading, I appreciate all the feedback I can get.
Brief Answer:
Anxiety is the most likely cause
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
The symptoms you are prescribing are typical for a panic attack. This is a situation that due to stress our body produces adrenaline and we get symptoms related to adrenaline flush in the body like heart pounding, hard to take breaths, shakiness, vision might seem strange, numbness and sometimes even faint. This is all a benign condition that does not hurt you or cause you body any damage but can be very distressing and sometimes very embarrassing. Coffee contains caffeine that has similar effects with adrenaline that is why you get more symptoms the times you have coffee. Alcohol can dilate your blood vessels and cause tachycardia (increased heart beating) and in itself precipitate an anxiety attack.
What I would recommend is:
1. healthy lifestyle which means: not more than one coffee a day, you can try to gradually reduce or quit it- it will take few days for the dependence to wane. It is the same with other energy drinks like cola or others.
Reducing alcohol to 2 drinks a day might be very helpful. No drugs- some illicit drugs can cause anxiety, depression and other psychiatric conditions. Make sure you eat regular meals and go for walks in green areas as much as you can.
Have regular exercises during the week. Make sure you meet friends you like and involve in activities you like most as long as they are healthy. Sportive activities are highly recommended If you smoke this is a good time to consider quiting. Make sure you go to bed to sleep at the same time at night. Make sure you rest enough during the week and in the weekends.
2 As for medications SSRI group of medications are found very effective. Citalopram is one you can use and if you start those you will need to use it for several months. These treatments help your mood and make you feel better without causing dependence and are safe but the healing happens with time and cognitive therapy
3. behavioral cognitive therapy if found very effective in anxiety situations and I would recommend you to find a good one that can help you
4. during an episode go in a quiet area and breath in a paper bag- this will help the panic attack resolve earlier.
5. I would not recommend much the use of benzodiazepines as they cause dependence.
6. As I read you have already had some heart tests. If not you will need an ECG. Also I would recommend you, if not done before,: TSH, CBC, ERS.
I hope this is helpful to you and answers to your question but please feel free to contact me in case of anymore clarifications are needed.
Kind regards
Dr Antoneta Zotaj
Anxiety is the most likely cause
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
The symptoms you are prescribing are typical for a panic attack. This is a situation that due to stress our body produces adrenaline and we get symptoms related to adrenaline flush in the body like heart pounding, hard to take breaths, shakiness, vision might seem strange, numbness and sometimes even faint. This is all a benign condition that does not hurt you or cause you body any damage but can be very distressing and sometimes very embarrassing. Coffee contains caffeine that has similar effects with adrenaline that is why you get more symptoms the times you have coffee. Alcohol can dilate your blood vessels and cause tachycardia (increased heart beating) and in itself precipitate an anxiety attack.
What I would recommend is:
1. healthy lifestyle which means: not more than one coffee a day, you can try to gradually reduce or quit it- it will take few days for the dependence to wane. It is the same with other energy drinks like cola or others.
Reducing alcohol to 2 drinks a day might be very helpful. No drugs- some illicit drugs can cause anxiety, depression and other psychiatric conditions. Make sure you eat regular meals and go for walks in green areas as much as you can.
Have regular exercises during the week. Make sure you meet friends you like and involve in activities you like most as long as they are healthy. Sportive activities are highly recommended If you smoke this is a good time to consider quiting. Make sure you go to bed to sleep at the same time at night. Make sure you rest enough during the week and in the weekends.
2 As for medications SSRI group of medications are found very effective. Citalopram is one you can use and if you start those you will need to use it for several months. These treatments help your mood and make you feel better without causing dependence and are safe but the healing happens with time and cognitive therapy
3. behavioral cognitive therapy if found very effective in anxiety situations and I would recommend you to find a good one that can help you
4. during an episode go in a quiet area and breath in a paper bag- this will help the panic attack resolve earlier.
5. I would not recommend much the use of benzodiazepines as they cause dependence.
6. As I read you have already had some heart tests. If not you will need an ECG. Also I would recommend you, if not done before,: TSH, CBC, ERS.
I hope this is helpful to you and answers to your question but please feel free to contact me in case of anymore clarifications are needed.
Kind regards
Dr Antoneta Zotaj
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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