Experiencing Chest Discomfort and Breathing Issues After Running
A 19-year-old female, with a height of 162 cm and weight of 54 kg, has reported low iron levels (17) and is currently taking iron supplements. Both my partner and I identify as women in a same-sex relationship, so pregnancy is not a possibility. To provide some background, my girlfriend suffered from pneumonia as a child, likely due to being unvaccinated. Unfortunately, her mother delayed treatment and didn’t allow her to rest during her illness. Since then, she has been unable to run even a short distance without experiencing tightening in her chest, which she describes as burning. Alongside this, she feels dizzy and her breathing becomes noticeably irregular. Although she claims her airways are not obstructed, she produces wheezing sounds reminiscent of a squeaky toy. Most recently, she attempted to run for less than a minute on a Sunday, which triggered the aforementioned symptoms again. She noted that the burning sensation extended to her chin and lower teeth had a tickling quality, and her heart rate remained elevated and did not normalize. Concerned about her wellbeing, I advised her to contact emergency services for evaluation. Upon their arrival, the paramedics noted her irregular breathing pattern and observed that her heart rate remained somewhat elevated even after nearly an hour post-exertion, albeit only slightly above normal. This warranted further assessment, and she was transported to the hospital for evaluation. However, after a brief ECG, the hospital staff dismissed her, attributing her symptoms to exercise-induced asthma and suggesting she was not a priority. I am not a medical professional, but I am skeptical about the asthma diagnosis. If it is asthma, I suspect it might relate to a more significant underlying problem. Later that night, as we were preparing for bed, she suddenly felt nauseous and was on the verge of vomiting. Throughout the day, she had experienced nausea following her asthma episode, and she appeared quite pale during these episodes. I suggested she try to sleep it off, and she agreed to rest. After some time, she woke up feeling extremely unwell and ended up vomiting quite a bit. Now, I'm uncertain whether her nausea is connected to her previous symptoms, which is why I’m seeking advice here. I considered taking her to the emergency room, but after she vomited, her nausea seemed to lessen, and she fell back asleep. Additionally, it's worth noting that she just began a new birth control regimen today to manage her severe endometriosis, but I doubt this is related, given the timeline of her symptoms. If anyone has insights or further questions, I’m open to discussing them.
Answers (1)
6/17/2025, 6:02:09 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear that your girlfriend has been experiencing such challenging symptoms. Chest discomfort and breathing issues during running can be concerning, especially when they come with additional symptoms like dizziness and nausea. Let's break down what you and your girlfriend can consider moving forward.
Main Points:
- Symptoms after exercise, including chest tightness, dizziness, and wheezing, suggest a possible respiratory issue.
- Nausea may be connected to her previous breathing episodes, but further evaluation is necessary.
- Monitoring symptoms closely and ruling out serious underlying conditions is essential.
Explanation:
Your girlfriend’s history of pneumonia may contribute to her current symptoms. Exercise-induced asthma is one possibility, but it’s important to ensure there are no other contributing factors. Her burning sensation in the chest radiating to her chin, along with dizzy spells and wheezing, suggests that she may be struggling with her respiratory capacity during physical exertion.
The recent increase in nausea and vomiting can sometimes occur due to stress on the body from an insufficient oxygen supply, or in some cases, it could relate to anxiety or gastrointestinal responses. The recent change in her birth control may not directly tie in but should be monitored as hormonal changes can affect overall wellbeing.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms:
- Keep a diary of her symptoms, including when they occur, their severity, and any triggers (like exercise, stress, etc.).
- Note any accompanying symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or feelings of faintness.
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Rest and Recovery:
- Encourage her to rest fully and avoid strenuous activities until her symptoms stabilize.
- Hydration is key; ensure she drinks enough fluids, especially if she’s been vomiting.
-
Manage Anxiety:
- If your girlfriend feels anxious about her symptoms, consider practicing calming techniques such as deep breathing or guided relaxation exercises, which may help mitigate some respiratory symptoms.
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Consult Healthcare:
- Since her symptoms are persistent and troubling, aim to have her evaluated again by a healthcare provider. It may be beneficial to specifically request:
- Pulmonary function tests to assess lung capacity and rule out other conditions.
- An evaluation of her overall cardiovascular health, especially considering her reported elevated heart rate post-exertion.
- Since her symptoms are persistent and troubling, aim to have her evaluated again by a healthcare provider. It may be beneficial to specifically request:
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Urgent Care:
- If she experiences any worsening symptoms, such as severe breathlessness, chest pain, or fainting, seek immediate medical attention.
Your vigilance regarding her symptoms and your support are crucial. If she's feeling better after vomiting, it’s still important to ensure her overall health is assessed properly in the long term. Keep monitoring her, and don’t hesitate to reach out for medical help if you have further concerns.
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