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What Causes Shortness Of Breath And Insomnia?
Question: Hi, I am having shortness of breath, having trouble sleeping.
Have just come to high altitude. I have been a XXXXXXX time resident in high altitude for 30 years. I am 77 years old
YYYY@YYYY
Have just come to high altitude. I have been a XXXXXXX time resident in high altitude for 30 years. I am 77 years old
YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
Possibly due to low oxygen and associated low hemoglobin.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. You are probably suffering from low hemoglobin.
2. Usually at high altitude, high hemoglobin or polycythemia is necessary due to thinning of oxygen. More RBC or hemoglobin is necessary to carry the same amount of oxygen.
3. If your hemoglobin is above normal, more than 16g%, then thyroid evaluation may be necessary. Otherwise, it is due to low hemoglobin. Do get your hemoglobin checked first. If rest reduces shortness of breath, it is probably low hemoglobin and improved nutrition rich in Vit B12, folic acid and iron is necessary to improve hemoglobin faster. 1-2 months may be necessary for improvement.
4. Trouble sleeping is due to difficulty in getting a good breath. The body is still trying to adjust. If you can use, oxygen cylinder (portable ones), it should help in reducing shortness of breath and could improve sleeping.
5. As you were no regularly in high altitude, your body would not have adjusted.
Do get your hemoglobin checked once. If normal, thyroid evaluation may be necessary, especially if there is recent weight gain and low energy.
Otherwise, improvement in nutrition along with oxygen cylinder support for short period is necessary. Avoid exercises, walking, climbing stairs, etc.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
Possibly due to low oxygen and associated low hemoglobin.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. You are probably suffering from low hemoglobin.
2. Usually at high altitude, high hemoglobin or polycythemia is necessary due to thinning of oxygen. More RBC or hemoglobin is necessary to carry the same amount of oxygen.
3. If your hemoglobin is above normal, more than 16g%, then thyroid evaluation may be necessary. Otherwise, it is due to low hemoglobin. Do get your hemoglobin checked first. If rest reduces shortness of breath, it is probably low hemoglobin and improved nutrition rich in Vit B12, folic acid and iron is necessary to improve hemoglobin faster. 1-2 months may be necessary for improvement.
4. Trouble sleeping is due to difficulty in getting a good breath. The body is still trying to adjust. If you can use, oxygen cylinder (portable ones), it should help in reducing shortness of breath and could improve sleeping.
5. As you were no regularly in high altitude, your body would not have adjusted.
Do get your hemoglobin checked once. If normal, thyroid evaluation may be necessary, especially if there is recent weight gain and low energy.
Otherwise, improvement in nutrition along with oxygen cylinder support for short period is necessary. Avoid exercises, walking, climbing stairs, etc.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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