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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Lack Of Exercise Cause Breathing Difficulty?

hi . i am 65 years old about 5 years ago i started experienceing shortness of breath while walking after a short time. i was smoking at the time and had been for a long time. i contributed it to smoking but never went to a doctor. now i am retired i stopped smoking thinking it would help my breathing. for the last year i have noticed the distance i can go is shorter and shorter before i just cant breathe hardley when up and walking. i am also obese. i weight 330 lbs. but i am not sure what is causing what. i know because of the breathing i dont push myself to walk or exercise but is it lack of exercise that is making my breathing difficult.? i can hardly now walk from one room to the other without having to sit down. i haven t started medicare yet so haven t been to a doctor. i am also extremely tired all the time. i can only sleep about 2 or 3 hours at a time and have to get up for bathroom break. i am falling asleep alot when i get on computer or just even go to bathroom sometimes i fall aleep . i had ebstein barr about 5 years ago can that still be bothering me?
Mon, 29 Dec 2014
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
You absolutely need to get in and see a doctor about this. It sounds like you have sleep apnea, which can cause damage to the heart and lungs, and you probably also have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis). The breathing problem is most likely related at least partially to your smoking. Although you have now quit, damage to your lungs was already present from the smoking and likely not reversible by now. At this point I would also be greatly concerned about heart failure causing at least some of your shortness of breath. It's unlikely to be related to the Ebstein Barr. Quitting smoking is a good start to prevent these problems from progressing further, but you need an evaluation right away for these other possibilities that could be treatable. Hope this helps.
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Can Lack Of Exercise Cause Breathing Difficulty?

You absolutely need to get in and see a doctor about this. It sounds like you have sleep apnea, which can cause damage to the heart and lungs, and you probably also have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis). The breathing problem is most likely related at least partially to your smoking. Although you have now quit, damage to your lungs was already present from the smoking and likely not reversible by now. At this point I would also be greatly concerned about heart failure causing at least some of your shortness of breath. It s unlikely to be related to the Ebstein Barr. Quitting smoking is a good start to prevent these problems from progressing further, but you need an evaluation right away for these other possibilities that could be treatable. Hope this helps.