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What Causes Shortness Of Breath In An Elderly Person?
Question: Have allergies. 68 years 230 pounds 5 6" TAKE meds zyrtec singular prozac ativan preavaicd lopressor25mg for rapid heart beat my question seems silly after saying this however am having trouble catching my breath I have been crying fot 6months over loss of granddaughter grandson hurt in hospital last month so had to be active so I figure my lackmof movement for 6 months has cause this befor of lost of grandaughter I hsd lost 30 pounds and walking every day I am now back to losing the wright but found difficult to catch breath any anserrs
Brief Answer:
investigation is required
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
although it seems that psychological factors have caused this problem to you, investigation is required to exclude other causes. A visit to your primary care physician might be the right next step because clinical examination and a detailed history would help a lot. I'll make up a list of important disorders that have to be excluded:
- heart failure: it means that the heart cannot cope with its load and the patient may feel shortness of breath particularly when physical activity imposes extra load on the heart. A heart echo should suffice to find out.
- COPD: which stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. COPD causes shortness of breath when the patient is physically active (in the first stages) and usually wheezing is evident. Phlegm production and cough are common. A spirometry is the right test to do for that.
- anemia: a low hematocrit causes fatigue, difficulty to concentrate, shortness of breath, etc. A complete blood count will confirm or exclude it.
There are many other potential causes. Your doctor may suspect some during clinical examination.
I hope I've helped!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
investigation is required
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
although it seems that psychological factors have caused this problem to you, investigation is required to exclude other causes. A visit to your primary care physician might be the right next step because clinical examination and a detailed history would help a lot. I'll make up a list of important disorders that have to be excluded:
- heart failure: it means that the heart cannot cope with its load and the patient may feel shortness of breath particularly when physical activity imposes extra load on the heart. A heart echo should suffice to find out.
- COPD: which stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. COPD causes shortness of breath when the patient is physically active (in the first stages) and usually wheezing is evident. Phlegm production and cough are common. A spirometry is the right test to do for that.
- anemia: a low hematocrit causes fatigue, difficulty to concentrate, shortness of breath, etc. A complete blood count will confirm or exclude it.
There are many other potential causes. Your doctor may suspect some during clinical examination.
I hope I've helped!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
With my allergies in 1996 the doctor said somethung about copd I was younger than I think I will check with an allergist and then have my doctor try some of the test you refrerred too thank you
Brief Answer:
You're welcome!
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
Glad to help!
You're welcome!
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
Glad to help!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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