Struggling to Breathe
I’m experiencing significant difficulty in taking deep breaths. There's a persistent wheezing sound, and my chest feels constricted. Additionally, I lack energy and feel exhausted. For the past day, I’ve also been battling a cold, characterized by relentless sneezing, a sore throat, and a bothersome cough that’s deep in my chest. This isn’t the first time I've faced such an issue; it has occurred approximately six times over the past 18 months. The situation tends to worsen during the night, and by morning, I often feel a bit better, although I’m left feeling utterly fatigued from lack of sleep. I’ve noticed that I’m inhaling approximately every six seconds for around three seconds each time, and my heart seems to be racing more than usual. Is it possible this could be related to COVID-19? What might be causing my susceptibility to it? I am a 35-year-old female, 5'3" tall, weighing 60 kg. I do not smoke or consume alcohol or drugs and have no known allergies or current medications. I reside in the UK. In my childhood, I had asthma but haven’t required an inhaler for decades. I also had croup, with my last episode occurring when I was about seven or eight years old.
Answers (1)
7/31/2025, 7:10:42 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are experiencing significant respiratory issues, including difficulty breathing, wheezing, and fatigue. This combination of symptoms, especially with a history of asthma, warrants careful attention.
Understanding Your Symptoms:
- Respiratory Distress: The difficulty in taking deep breaths and the wheezing sound suggests potential airway constriction or inflammation. Given your past history of asthma, it’s possible that you may be experiencing a resurgence of asthma symptoms, especially since these symptoms often worsen at night.
- Cold Symptoms: Your current cold, characterized by sneezing, sore throat, and deep cough, can contribute to temporary airway irritation.
- Fatigue and Heart Rate: Feeling exhausted and having a racing heart can result from your struggle to breathe effectively, leading to decreased oxygen levels and increased stress on your body.
Immediate Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on your symptoms. Note any changes in breathlessness or an increase in wheezing. Writing these down can help identify patterns or triggers.
-
Create a Calm Environment: Since symptoms worsen at night, ensure your sleeping environment is comfortable. Use an extra pillow to elevate your head while sleeping. This can help relieve some constriction and improve breathing.
-
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to help thin mucus and keep your airways moist. Warm fluids like tea or broth can be soothing, especially with a sore throat.
-
Breathing Techniques: Practice slow, controlled breathing techniques. This can help reduce anxiety and improve your lung function. One technique is to inhale through your nose for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, and exhale slowly through your mouth for up to 6 seconds.
-
Avoid Irritants: Stay away from any known irritants such as strong odors, smoke, or allergens that can worsen your breathing.
-
Consider Using a Humidifier: If the air is dry, a humidifier in your room can help keep your airways moist and ease breathing.
When to Seek Further Help:
If you notice persistent symptoms such as increased shortness of breath, significant chest tightness, bluish lips or face, or any severe fatigue that disrupts daily activity, it's essential to seek medical attention promptly. Given your symptoms and previous history of asthma, a healthcare provider may need to evaluate if asthma control is necessary or rule out other underlying conditions, including a potential COVID-19 infection, especially if you have symptoms of a respiratory virus.
You are doing a great job monitoring your health. Please continue to take care of yourself and prioritize your well-being. Let me know if you need more information or further guidance.
Related Questions
Experiencing Mild Perihilar Pulmonary Congestion?
Greetings, everyone. I am a 27-year-old man who neither smokes nor vapes, and my only regular medication is low-dose naltrexone (LDN). Recently, I completed a five-day round of antibiotics and am due to start a five-day regimen of prednisone at a dosage of 20 mg, although I haven’t begun that treatment yet. My health background includes persistent issues related to long COVID and heart troubles, specifically myopericarditis, which I faced three years ago. In addition, I've dealt with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), enduring various fluctuations in my symptoms. Thankfully, I have reached a point where I'm able to take regular walks and pursue nursing school full-time. A few months back, I experienced pneumonia and suffered from shortness of breath until an emergency room visit led to a diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics; my doctor suggested it might have been lingering effects of the pneumonia that required attention. After the treatment, my condition improved, but four weeks ago, I began experiencing unusual shortness of breath that occurs when I lie down, persisting throughout the day. Following another visit to the ER, various heart tests and an X-ray were conducted, both of which indicated that everything appeared normal. During a subsequent doctor's appointment, I reviewed the X-ray results that stated my lungs were clear, with no signs of pleural effusion and a normal cardiomediastinal silhouette. However, they noted mild peripheral pulmonary congestion. This has caused me a considerable amount of distress, as I am worried that it might relate to heart issues, potentially indicating pulmonary edema. After completing the five-day antibiotic course, I felt slightly better, went for a lengthy day at SeaWorld, and even returned to the gym for a light walk on the treadmill, but shortly after, the symptoms resurfaced. I have the prednisone on hand for my treatment. Now I find myself anxious about whether this could be a heart-related issue or if it’s purely a lung problem. I’m overwhelmed with worry regarding this situation! Am I overthinking things? Has anyone else faced a similar experience?
Understanding the Role of Dialysis in Lung Fluid Management
A 72-year-old man weighing 140 pounds is experiencing complications from kidney failure, particularly involving fluid accumulation in the lungs rather than around them. He is dealing with low oxygen levels and a decreased heart rate, and has a history of open heart surgery from the previous year. Additionally, he regularly undergoes dialysis as part of his treatment for kidney failure; however, missing dialysis sessions has contributed to the fluid build-up in his lungs. I would appreciate straightforward insights on this issue, rather than just optimistic hopes. Thank you for your assistance.
Kidney Infection Concern
Hello everyone! I'm reaching out for some guidance since I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and don't have a lot of support right now. I could really use any tips or insights you might have. So, last week on Monday (July 21), I visited my primary care physician due to experiencing intense burning sensations while urinating. After testing my urine, they diagnosed me with a urinary tract infection—something I had never encountered before. They prescribed me an antibiotic; however, I can't remember its name. I started taking it that very day and continued through Tuesday. Come Wednesday (July 23), I woke up with an awful pain in my lower back, along with nausea and a slight fever. Given the severe discomfort I was in, I contacted my doctor, who suggested I go to the emergency room. In the ER, they conducted blood tests, a urinalysis, and provided fluids through an IV. A CT scan was performed, revealing no kidney stones, but it confirmed that the infection had spread to my kidneys. I was discharged on Levofloxacin 750 mg, but rather than improving, I felt worse than before. I endured nausea, vomiting, and extreme fatigue until Sunday (July 27), when I sought help at an urgent care clinic. They tested my urine and informed me that neither of the two antibiotics I had taken were effective against the infection, which explained my ongoing symptoms. They then switched my medication to Macrobid 100 mg to be taken twice daily. It's now Tuesday, and I've been on the new medication since Sunday. Unfortunately, I still feel the same. Each morning, I wake up feeling nauseous to the point of vomiting. I also have significant stomach pain and have been dealing with constipation since last Tuesday, which I suspect may be related to the medications—but I'm unsure. To top it off, my lower back pain has returned, and I'm feeling quite lost about what to do next. Has anyone else experienced something similar? It feels as if nothing is working effectively. Should I consider going to see a doctor again? Am I being too impatient with the Macrobid? I would really appreciate any advice or support during this frustrating time!
Concerns About Air Quality and Respiratory Challenges
I am a 32-year-old female, weighing 250 pounds and standing at 5 feet 5 inches. I do not smoke and have pre-diabetes, for which I take metformin and escitalopram. Currently, I reside in a part of Canada that is facing the consequences of nearby wildfires. Although the flames are fairly distant, the conditions have caused the smoke to drift down into my city, where it is not only visible but also emits a strong odor. Recently, while camping over the weekend, I woke up in the night to a smell reminiscent of burnt barbecue. We had gone to sleep under clear skies, but upon awakening, the air was filled with smoke. Since that night, I've been struggling with a persistent sore throat, a dry nasal passage, and some mild shortness of breath. I've decided to start wearing a mask whenever the air quality deteriorates. I would like to know if my doctor can provide any prescriptions to help alleviate these respiratory issues, perhaps a puffer or a nasal spray. I’m interested in hearing your recommendations on what I could discuss with my physician. Thank you for your input and, on a side note: the impact of climate change is truly disheartening.
Breathing Challenges at 17
At the age of 17, I find myself facing some serious respiratory issues. I began smoking at 13, indulging in cigarettes, vapes, and heated tobacco, which has made me quite a heavy user. Over time, I began to notice a troubling pattern: I experienced increasing shortness of breath that eventually became constant. Engaging in any physical activity, such as doing push-ups, would leave me gasping for air for extended periods. After enduring five continuous days of this persistent issue, I decided to seek medical assistance. Upon visiting the hospital, the doctor simply checked my lungs with a stethoscope and prescribed Symbicort inhaler for a duration of about two months. Remarkably, within 48 hours of using the Symbicort, my condition improved by over 90%. Despite this relief, I occasionally indulged in smoking again, which unfortunately led to a slight decline in my condition; however, it wasn't as severe as my initial symptoms. As of now, I have made the decision to quit smoking completely, and today marks my first day without nicotine. Although I feel somewhat stable, I still suspect I could be experiencing lung irritation, asthma, or possibly even COPD, among other conditions. I am curious about my current health situation. It’s worth mentioning that I don’t cough or have any mucus; my main issue is the shortness of breath, which isn't debilitating. I can manage to climb two to three flights of stairs and recover my breath in about two minutes. However, I also experience slight breathlessness while resting, which is manageable with the Symbicort, especially considering how horrible it felt before starting treatment.