Breathing Difficulties
Hello everyone. I’m a 25-year-old male, standing at 1.80 meters and weighing 110 kilograms. I take 75 mg of Sertraline daily and have never been a smoker. Recently, I’ve experienced some unusual symptoms and seek your advice. Approximately a week and a half ago, I noticed what felt like a weakness or fatigue on the right side of my face. I didn’t think much of it at first. However, the following day, I began to sense a change in my breathing. Although I could still manage to take deeper breaths, I felt a peculiar pressure in my chest, particularly after eating. This made me more mindful of my breathing patterns. While this pressure subsided somewhat on its own, this morning I experienced something concerning. After using the restroom, I instinctively tried to take a deep breath, but my body seemed to cancel it, only allowing a small intake of air. When I forced myself to take a deeper breath, I was able to, but the volume of air I could inhale felt reduced compared to before. The difference is slight but noticeable. Additionally, after attempting several deep breaths in quick succession, I've developed a persistent urge to breathe deeply every few seconds, and this sensation has not abated for the last 20 to 30 minutes.
Answers (1)
2/6/2026, 9:40:32 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing some concerning symptoms related to your breathing and the pressure in your chest, alongside recent facial fatigue. It's important to take these symptoms seriously, as they can arise from various underlying causes.
Overview of Your Symptoms:
- Weakness or fatigue on the right side of your face.
- Chest pressure, especially after eating.
- Noticeable changes in your ability to take deep breaths and a persistent urge to breathe deeply.
Understanding Your Symptoms: The combination of chest pressure and altered breathing patterns can be related to anxiety, respiratory issues, or other factors such as muscle tension. Facial fatigue could be related to a variety of causes, some benign, while others may require more immediate attention.
Next Steps: Priority Actions
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Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep track of when you experience the chest pressure, the changes in your breathing, and any other accompanying symptoms (like pain, dizziness, or palpitations). This information could be helpful.
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Practice Breathing Techniques: Use slow, controlled breathing exercises to help manage your urge to breathe deeply. Try inhaling for a count of four, holding for a count of four, and exhaling for a count of six. This can help reduce anxiety and improve your breathing pattern.
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Limit Certain Activities: If you notice that eating triggers chest pressure, try to eat smaller meals more frequently rather than large meals, which can sometimes contribute to feelings of fullness and pressure.
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Stay Calm and Reassess: If your symptoms worsen (such as increased shortness of breath, severe chest pain, dizziness, or if you start feeling faint), seek immediate medical attention to rule out serious conditions.
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Consider Stress Factors: Reflect on any recent stressors or changes in your life that may contribute to anxiety or muscle tension, which can affect breathing. Finding ways to manage stress, such as through exercise, meditation, or talking to someone, can be beneficial.
Taking these steps seriously is essential, and while some symptoms may improve over time, your wellbeing is the priority. Let me know if you have any further questions or need additional support.
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