Concerns About Breathing Issues?
Hello everyone, I'm not entirely sure if this is the appropriate forum for my question, but I’m going to give it a shot. For the past five to six years, I've developed a habit of sucking in my stomach, and honestly, it's been a challenge to break this behavior. Recently, I started attending yoga classes, and during these sessions, I've discovered that I struggle to take a deep breath for more than about 1.5 seconds. It seems like when I breathe, only my shoulders rise, while my stomach remains flat. This realization has led me to notice that my everyday breathing feels very shallow and rapid. I breathe solely through my nose, not my mouth, which I hope is relevant to my inquiry. I'm curious if there are ways to address this issue at home, or if I ought to consult a healthcare professional. A bit about me: I’m a 15-year-old female, standing at 5'2" with no known health conditions and no medications. I appreciate any guidance you can provide, and I apologize if this isn't the right place to share my concerns. It seems like I haven’t found any solutions through online searches. Thank you!
Answers (1)
2/11/2026, 10:01:20 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's great that you're exploring your breathing habits and addressing your concerns. Shallow breathing can be a common issue, especially if you've been holding your stomach in for a long time. It can lead to feelings of anxiety or stress, which might make it even more challenging to breathe deeply. Let’s focus on some strategies you can implement at home to improve your breathing.
Understanding the Situation
-
Shallow Breathing: It sounds like your current habit of sucking in your stomach is contributing to shallow, rapid breathing. This can limit the amount of air you take in, which may cause feelings of lightheadedness or discomfort.
-
Yoga Classes: Your observation during yoga that you struggle to take deep breaths indicates that you might be engaging your chest rather than your diaphragm. Diaphragmatic breathing (also known as belly breathing) can be more effective and relaxing.
Next Steps
-
Practice Diaphragmatic Breathing:
- Technique:
- Find a comfortable seated or lying position.
- Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly.
- Inhale slowly through your nose, allowing your belly to rise and pushing air into your diaphragm (the hand on your belly should rise while the hand on your chest remains still).
- Exhale slowly through your mouth, letting your belly fall.
- Duration: Start with 5-10 minutes daily, gradually increasing as you become more comfortable.
- Technique:
-
Mindfulness and Relaxation:
- Consider incorporating mindfulness techniques. Before engaging in deep breathing exercises, take a moment to relax your body and mind. This can reduce tension around your abdomen and make deep breathing easier.
- Yoga practice itself can be beneficial. Focus on poses that promote relaxation and lung expansion, like Child's Pose or Savasana.
-
Posture Awareness:
- Be mindful of your posture throughout the day. Try to relax your abdomen and shoulders while standing or sitting. Keeping a relaxed posture can allow for easier breathing.
-
Track Your Progress:
- Keep a journal of your breathing practices, noting changes in how you feel. This can help you recognize improvement over time.
-
Consult a Healthcare Professional if Needed:
- If your breathing issues persist or if you start experiencing dizziness, chest pain, or any other concerning symptoms, it would be wise to consult a healthcare professional. They can assess if further exploration is needed.
Conclusion
Improving your breathing habits takes time and practice, but with consistent effort, you can develop a more natural and active style of breathing. Remember, it's important to be patient with yourself during this process. If you have any additional questions or need more specific guidance, feel free to ask!
Related Questions
Concern Over Potential Pulmonary Embolism After IV Fluids
Recently, I received intravenous fluids while in the emergency room. Later at home, as I took off the bandage, I discovered my arm had bruised and there was a noticeable bump beneath the skin that resembled a clot. In an attempt to alleviate my concern, I accidentally rubbed it. Fortunately, the bump has since disappeared, leaving only the bruise. Currently, I'm experiencing intermittent waves of shortness of breath, fatigue, and an overwhelming sense of dread. I can't help but wonder if a clot might have dislodged and reached my lung. Today, my heart feels like it’s beating irregularly and more forcefully. I struggle with anxiety and panic attacks, particularly after a period of significant stress, which adds to my worry. While I was working, my breathlessness seemed to worsen, though my colleagues assure me that my complexion appears normal. I also feel dizzy when I change the position of my head. Without insurance coverage at the moment, I am reluctant to incur another ER expense. For context, I’m a 27-year-old female weighing 210 lbs, with a medical history that includes asthma and anxiety.
Anxiety and Unexpected Heart Test Results
35-year-old male, standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 191 pounds. I used to smoke, averaging half a pack daily for approximately five years, but that was seven years ago. In terms of drinking, I typically consume between five to seven alcoholic beverages each night, with occasional heavier sessions. For quite some time, I've battled serious health anxiety, experiencing episodes where I genuinely believed I was having a heart attack. While my EKGs have consistently returned normal results, my latest tests revealed troubling numbers: my LDL cholesterol level was at 163, which increased despite my efforts to maintain a low-fat, low-sodium, high-fiber diet. Additionally, my triglycerides measured quite high at 223. Other results showed elevated red blood cells at 5.88, hemoglobin at 18.7, and hematocrit at 55.5. Furthermore, my calcium level was reported as high at 10.4, and bilirubin was noted at 1.6, though my liver enzymes remained within normal limits. Lately, I’ve been experiencing persistent dizziness along with unusual pain in my chest, arms, and back. Even after hearing that my EKG results were normal, I went for a jog today and struggled to continue for more than 20 seconds before feeling an overwhelming need to rest, accompanied by significant chest pressure. This frightens me greatly. Interestingly, my test results overall appeared relatively fine, except for the LDL which has risen to 131 over the past month. Is it feasible for heart disease to develop so rapidly? I should also mention that I identify as an alcoholic, averaging seven drinks per night, with a recent binge of around 10-12 drinks for a few nights just three days ago, which seems to have intensified my discomfort. Could my symptoms be indicative of coronary artery disease? I have a chest X-ray scheduled for tomorrow; could this imaging help to rule out heart disease? I am anxious to believe this is just related to my anxiety, but this episode has been overwhelming. Any insights or support would be greatly appreciated.
Navigating Health Anxiety at Age 16
Hi everyone, I'd truly value your thoughts on my situation. Let me share my experience in detail. I'm a 16-year-old male dealing with significant health anxiety. About a month ago, I discovered three movable lumps beneath my jaw and one located behind my ear. After visiting doctors three times, they assured me everything is fine and indicated that there are no additional symptoms to worry about. However, I've been plagued with fears that these lumps could be something sinister affecting my brain. Additionally, I've started to notice some weakness on one side of my body. Despite these concerns, I’ve been keeping up with regular activities such as working out at the gym and playing football. Lately, I've also encountered difficulty remembering certain things, specifically recalling what I was doing three days ago—I struggle to recall even a single detail. It’s a challenging and anxious period for me right now.
Strange Sensations in My Head After Illness
Hello everyone, this is my first post here, and I'm really hoping to get some insights. I've been unwell for the past two months, and I'm really struggling to understand what's going on with my body. I'm a 19-year-old female, and everything started when I returned home for winter vacation on December 13th. Initially, I enjoyed spending time with friends and felt perfectly fine. But one day, I accidentally made an extremely strong cup of coffee (though I only had about half). I hoped it would give me a little boost to help clean my room since I typically have no issues with caffeine other than occasional mild anxiety. Later that evening, while attending my sibling's middle school band concert, I began to experience heart palpitations. I started to panic, which only amplified the situation. Luckily, my mom, who is a nurse, helped me remain calm. However, the palpitations continued from 7 PM until around 11 PM when I began experiencing chest pain and difficulty breathing, prompting a trip to the emergency room. At the hospital, they performed an EKG that showed I was experiencing premature atrial contractions (PACs), along with some positive orthostatic results. The doctors reassured me that everything seemed okay and suggested wearing a heart monitor as a precaution. I returned home and attempted to rest, but the next day, the palpitations persisted. Subsequently, I began feeling increasingly unwell—sans fever—finding it challenging to rise from bed or eat anything. The only source of comfort became listening to Reddit stories told by Smosh. My awareness of my heartbeat heightened dramatically, accompanied by sharp chest pains and sensations of numbness. This weird pressure developed in the back of my head, transitioning into a burning feeling that alternated with sensations akin to someone blowing on my brain or having water poured over it. At times, I felt as if blood was rushing to the top of my head, creating a sensation of warm fullness that was unnerving. Sleep became a frightening prospect as I feared not waking up. I consulted a physician who prescribed amoxicillin, diagnosing me with an ear and sinus infection; still, after finishing the antibiotics, the pressure in my head hardly subsided. A visit to the eye doctor during my winter break confirmed that my eyes were healthy, with only a slight change in my prescription. During this time, I lost about 15 pounds in just three weeks and was feeling particularly weak. However, I needed to return to college, so I mustered all my energy to pack and drive back. The drive itself was manageable, but I felt significant pressure at the base of my neck. I forced myself to eat more and attend my classes, yet constant headaches lingered, with no pain relievers providing relief. Basic tasks became challenging; I had to take frequent breaks while cooking or walking because I felt I lacked the strength, and my heart would act up intermittently. Soon after, my vision started to change. I would wake up feeling as though everything was distant and dim. When I looked down, my perspective shifted dramatically, making me feel either unusually tall or short—a sensation that hasn't improved. It often feels as though my forehead and eyes are being pushed back into my skull. Amid these issues, I also sustained a minor head injury when a friend accidentally kicked the chair I was sitting on. I went back to the ER, where a CT scan revealed nothing abnormal, much to my relief, but they advised that I see a neurologist for further evaluation. Afterward, I visited another doctor locally for continuity of care. She suggested I consider anxiety medication, which I agree with, since even minor incidents now fill me with intense dread, particularly after experiencing the heart palpitations. Often, I'll recount a simple story to friends, only to feel an inexplicable drop in my heart rate. I still haven't received my heart monitor, and the pressure and sensations in my head have become increasingly overwhelming. I've been experiencing vertigo sensations that make me feel like my body is continuously lurching. I simply don't feel like myself anymore, and I'm at a loss for understanding why this is happening. In brief: I've faced heart palpitations, spiraled into illness resulting in peculiar sensations in my head, and doctors remain perplexed by my condition. My anxiety has skyrocketed, and my vision seems off—I'm yearning for a return to normalcy.
Experiencing Persistent Vibrations in My Legs Due to Anxiety: How Serious Could It Be?
At 33 years old, I've been grappling with bipolar disorder since I was 18. Over the years, managing stress has posed significant challenges for me, contributing to four hospital visits for psychiatric care and leaving me without a college degree after spending six years enrolled in various institutions. Additionally, I’ve struggled with the anxiety of pursuing romantic connections, particularly in person. However, through one dating application, I've recently reached a point where I can no longer express interest in profiles as I've hit the maximum limit for responding to my matches. This overwhelming feeling of having too many conversations occurring simultaneously, compounded by messages from others, is taking a toll on my mental state. It’s causing me great concern that I may become hypersexual. Ironically, I felt a sense of relief when a date that was supposed to occur this evening was canceled; since planning that meeting, my total matches have surged from approximately 20 to 32. Now, about those vibrations in my legs that I mentioned earlier—whenever my feet touch the floor, it feels as if heavy machinery were working below, like vacuuming or some form of construction. This sensation is impacting my resting heart rate (RHR), heart rate variability (HRV), and overall stress metrics tracked using my Garmin Forerunner 965. Over the last six days, my daily stress levels have consistently exceeded 49, with a weekly average at the highest recorded point in a year, far surpassing my typical average of 31. Part of me contemplates removing the app, as it seems detrimental to my mental health, yet I recognize that doing so could also represent a familiar pattern of self-sabotage that I've always faced. Transitioning from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance has been a jarring experience for me, significantly disrupting my nervous system. I’m trying to maintain a skeptical perspective and not overreact, although the Garmin’s body battery readings suggest that my emotional strain has led to physical fatigue. Historically, I’ve only seen my body battery dip to a low of 15 during severe illnesses like the flu, a stomach bug, or after an extremely taxing day following COVID and flu vaccinations taken together, as well as during demanding international travel. Currently, I’m at a loss about what steps to take next beyond listening to soothing music and occasionally going for walks. If these unsettling leg vibrations persist, at what point should I consider seeking help from urgent care or a specialist? And how would I even start that discussion?