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Suggest Treatment For Shortness Of Breath
Feel short of breath with frequent need to take a deep breath. Can t go to sleep because af feeling like i need to take a deep breath. Have seen cardiologist and pulmonologist. Started on Lasix for questionable extra fluid and cpap for mild OSA, oxygen level ok. Was on Amiodarone foe 4 months for A.Fib. that was stopped 3 days ago. For past week I am having 5-10 PVC,s per minute but no A,Fib.or edema, Became hypothyroid thought secondary to Amiodarone. T4 was 3. TSH was 55.5. there has been a mild nonproductive cough, no fever. Current meds Synthroid, Diovan, Lipitor, Lasix, ASA. Dexilant and diltiazem, i seem to holding my breath sometimes to avoid the sensation to take a deep breath. Any suggestions as to a possible cause ?
Mon, 11 Feb 2019
Hi,
Shortness of breath can be due to different possible causes:
(1) related to a condition of the heart e.g. heart failure, heart attack
(2) related to a condition of the lungs e.g. a clot in the lungs, asthma, pneumonia, pneumothorax, collapsed lung
(3) due to anemia (low blood count)
(4) due to overexertion
(5) related to stress or anxiety.
If there is a history of heart disease or you have chest pain or there is a history of smoking, high cholesterol, family history of heart disease, overweight or obese, high blood pressure- these are all risk factors for a heart attack--- then you need to be seen as soon as possible. Tests are needed.
If none of these is present but you are very short of breath, then you still need evaluation because lung disease needs to be ruled out by your history of symptoms, examination and investigations such as blood tests and chest x-ray.
If the heart and lungs assessment is normal then the other causes are considered but these are mainly considered only after serious causes have been ruled out by assessment (history, exam, investigations).
A complete blood count would check for anemia. If all of the investigations are normal and no obvious cause is seen then stress/anxiety, is considered.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein, General Surgeon
Shortness of breath can be due to different possible causes:
(1) related to a condition of the heart e.g. heart failure, heart attack
(2) related to a condition of the lungs e.g. a clot in the lungs, asthma, pneumonia, pneumothorax, collapsed lung
(3) due to anemia (low blood count)
(4) due to overexertion
(5) related to stress or anxiety.
If there is a history of heart disease or you have chest pain or there is a history of smoking, high cholesterol, family history of heart disease, overweight or obese, high blood pressure- these are all risk factors for a heart attack--- then you need to be seen as soon as possible. Tests are needed.
If none of these is present but you are very short of breath, then you still need evaluation because lung disease needs to be ruled out by your history of symptoms, examination and investigations such as blood tests and chest x-ray.
If the heart and lungs assessment is normal then the other causes are considered but these are mainly considered only after serious causes have been ruled out by assessment (history, exam, investigations).
A complete blood count would check for anemia. If all of the investigations are normal and no obvious cause is seen then stress/anxiety, is considered.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein, General Surgeon
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