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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Could Breathing Difficulties With Nausea And Heavy Chest Indicate?

My husband is unable to breathe at night. He has tried Advair and other types of asthma medicine and they have all failed. He has resorted to drinking because that works, unfortunately. He has developed a tolerance and now drinks a 15 pack and half a liter of vodka to breathe. He also gets nauseous and vomits once a day usually soon after eating, that started about two weeks ago. If he does fall asleep, it last a couple hours and he wakes up gasping for air, but he can't get any so he stays up miserable. Also, he describes it as slowly suffocating because it feels like an overweight man is sitting on his chest. What could this be? He is only 22.
Thu, 24 Aug 2017
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Hello,

One possibility apart from bronchial asthma is cardiac conditions (issues relating to the heart). The symptom of getting up from mid-sleep gasping for breath is medically termed as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. It can happen when the left side of your heart fails to pump blood properly, and it can also happen in severe asthma.

Since your husband is an alcoholic, it can sometimes weaken the heart. As far as the treatment goes, the treatment for the two is entirely different as one (bronchial asthma) is a problem with the airways while left heart failure needs cardiac medications. You mention that he has taken appropriate medications for asthma. Can you please elaborate on the prescription so that it can be ensured? Do consult a physician in person at the earliest for complete cardiorespiratory evaluation. Alcohol consumption needs to be quit.


Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Vidya S
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What Could Breathing Difficulties With Nausea And Heavy Chest Indicate?

Hello, One possibility apart from bronchial asthma is cardiac conditions (issues relating to the heart). The symptom of getting up from mid-sleep gasping for breath is medically termed as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. It can happen when the left side of your heart fails to pump blood properly, and it can also happen in severe asthma. Since your husband is an alcoholic, it can sometimes weaken the heart. As far as the treatment goes, the treatment for the two is entirely different as one (bronchial asthma) is a problem with the airways while left heart failure needs cardiac medications. You mention that he has taken appropriate medications for asthma. Can you please elaborate on the prescription so that it can be ensured? Do consult a physician in person at the earliest for complete cardiorespiratory evaluation. Alcohol consumption needs to be quit. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Vidya S