HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Breathing Difficulty With Tightness In Chest?

default
Posted on Mon, 28 Jul 2014
Question: I've been having a hard time breathing for the past month or so, off and on. My chest gets tight, i wheeze so bad my breath sounds like a large squeaky door, and even when it's only a vague tightness like tonight, if I lie down I feel like I'm going to suffocate. Before this happened I only had itchy eyes or a runny nose, no issues breathing, coughed up lots of gross snot too. I just recently have started to care for a dog, could this be the reason? or is it bronchitis? what is this? It's scary.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
You could be having asthma.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX

Your symptoms suggest that you could be having asthma. You do suffer from allergies as suggested by you taking zyrtec? Are you uncomfortable in dusty and smoky environment?

Only thing that sounds unusual is you feeling better with eating ice because normally asthma gets worse with extreme cold but then every patient is different.

Yes, if you have allergies, your symptoms could get worse while caring for the dog.

You need to consult your local pulmonologist and get a thorough check up done. It should include routine blood tests, chest x ray and a spirometry.

You will need inhaler medicines like levolin, seroflo, tiova etc, anti allergics like monteleukast and levocetrizine. You may even need a short course of oral steroids to get your symptoms under control, hence an appointment with a pulmonologist is a must.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shashi Dangwal

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :1979

Answered : 1157 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Breathing Difficulty With Tightness In Chest?

Brief Answer: You could be having asthma. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX Your symptoms suggest that you could be having asthma. You do suffer from allergies as suggested by you taking zyrtec? Are you uncomfortable in dusty and smoky environment? Only thing that sounds unusual is you feeling better with eating ice because normally asthma gets worse with extreme cold but then every patient is different. Yes, if you have allergies, your symptoms could get worse while caring for the dog. You need to consult your local pulmonologist and get a thorough check up done. It should include routine blood tests, chest x ray and a spirometry. You will need inhaler medicines like levolin, seroflo, tiova etc, anti allergics like monteleukast and levocetrizine. You may even need a short course of oral steroids to get your symptoms under control, hence an appointment with a pulmonologist is a must.