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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Breathlessness While Smoking?

Hi I am a 31 yr old female and i quit smoking a month ago due to having a hard time taking deep breaths. Some days, even hours, its easier or harder to get a deep breath. It seems to vary although Im not sure what makes it one way or another. I do always feel like there is something in my throat and something is blocking the air from coming in and out. The only time i seem to feel the best is at night when i am laying down in my bedroom and most of the morning after i wake up but then something triggers it and i feel bad again. my dr. didnt hear anyting horrible with my lungs but did give e an inhaler, which doesnt really help. what else could be causing this?
Thu, 1 Oct 2015
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Addiction Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Several possibilities and I can't say in your particular case.
Anxiety attacks can do this and smoking withdrawal often does that.
Can be a low grade asthma attack BUT that seems doubtful given the inhaler didn't work. Can be inflammation of the upper throat and the inhaler would mostly NOT hit there, but lower down, but would still expect some effect of inhaler. Lack of exercise and deconditioning which you notice only with better health off of cigarettes in which case gradually increasing exercise on a daily basis fixes it in 2 weeks but you have to work through it.
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What Causes Breathlessness While Smoking?

Several possibilities and I can t say in your particular case. Anxiety attacks can do this and smoking withdrawal often does that. Can be a low grade asthma attack BUT that seems doubtful given the inhaler didn t work. Can be inflammation of the upper throat and the inhaler would mostly NOT hit there, but lower down, but would still expect some effect of inhaler. Lack of exercise and deconditioning which you notice only with better health off of cigarettes in which case gradually increasing exercise on a daily basis fixes it in 2 weeks but you have to work through it.