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What Causes Breathing Difficulty And Tightness In The Chest?

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Posted on Thu, 18 Aug 2016
Question: I am a 50 year old, healthy man. I am on vacation in the Canadian Rockies with my family. Since we arrived, I have had increasing difficulty breathing and slight chest construction. It impacts my ability to climb stairs and do short hikes. At night, I seem to be breathing mostly through my mouth, I wake up several times with a very dry mouth. This morning it seems worse with medium to deep inhaling being difficult. Is this a normal high altitude related issue or do I need to seek medical attention today? XXXXXXX XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Allergy or high altitude.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing to Health Care Magic, I am Dr Muhammd Ahmad, I have closely read your question and I understand your concerns, I will hereby guide you regarding your health related problem.

It can be beacuse of two things here.

1) High altitude.
2) Allergy due to some allergen in your new area.

You can not do anything about high altitude though, it will subside with time as your body gets used to low oxygen but if it is some allegy you can recover from it with very simple life style modifications and meds.

1) Use respiratory mask.
2) Steam inhalation does help opening up nose.
3) Use tablet Alegra-D this will help with nasal congestion.
4) Use tablet citerizine 10mg daily at night this will cover up the allergy.

If these measures doesn't help in 3-4 days just pay a visit to some medical facility to get yourself checked up. There shouldn't be anything of big concern but still taking care is the best thing one can do.





I hope this answered your question, if you have more feel free to ask,otherwise close the discussion and rate it.

Regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.
General and Family Physician..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (6 hours later)
Thanks. I went to emergency room to get checked out. Turns out i have three blood clots in my lungs and have low oxygen levels.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Have you started blood thinners?

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for writing back this was quite unexpected as there was no significant history implying that specially chest pain of a BP drop, they would have started you on blood thinners I suppose, did you get a CT scan and echo done?


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (48 hours later)
Yes to all of the above. Both injections for blood thinner and oral doses. CT and chest x ray showed four blood clots in lungs and lower body. In a hospital under good care.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (26 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It's great that you were diagnosed early.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for writing back. Its actually good that you have been diagnosed early ... Your treatment too have been started early and I am quite positive that these clots will respond soon. I hop doctors have found the reason of formation of blood clots that is important.

I wish you the very best of health stay blessed.

Regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Muhammad Ahmad

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1308 Questions

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What Causes Breathing Difficulty And Tightness In The Chest?

Brief Answer: Allergy or high altitude. Detailed Answer: Thanks for writing to Health Care Magic, I am Dr Muhammd Ahmad, I have closely read your question and I understand your concerns, I will hereby guide you regarding your health related problem. It can be beacuse of two things here. 1) High altitude. 2) Allergy due to some allergen in your new area. You can not do anything about high altitude though, it will subside with time as your body gets used to low oxygen but if it is some allegy you can recover from it with very simple life style modifications and meds. 1) Use respiratory mask. 2) Steam inhalation does help opening up nose. 3) Use tablet Alegra-D this will help with nasal congestion. 4) Use tablet citerizine 10mg daily at night this will cover up the allergy. If these measures doesn't help in 3-4 days just pay a visit to some medical facility to get yourself checked up. There shouldn't be anything of big concern but still taking care is the best thing one can do. I hope this answered your question, if you have more feel free to ask,otherwise close the discussion and rate it. Regards. Dr.Muhammad Ahmad. General and Family Physician..