Shortness of Breath: What to Do?

(this was after a battery of tests and specialists, btw)

I had a problem with air hunger/shortness of breath after exertion for about 5 years. Nothing helped until I started breathing in and out only through my nose during the exertion (exercise or otherwise). It sounds nuts, but I think the exercise spurred hyperventilation that was further perpetuated by my taking deep breaths to try to rid myself of the air hunger. Anyway, I was able to even run without issue after I figured this out. Look up Buteyko breathing.

Sleeping on your side or back helps

Hey dolly, thanks~ I think I kind of tried both. I feel like the mist humidifier affected my sinuses a bit but it might’ve been because of the smell. I think the inhaler helped with my symptoms a bit but it didn’t alleviate my symptoms if that makes sense.

Hey marina, I have seen 2 cardiologists and they both said I seem fine. I’m having an ultrasound for my heart on Thursday too so I’ll see. I also saw a pulmonologist and they’re not sure what the problem is either but I just took a pulmonary test today so I’ll see if there’s something later. Also hope you get better~

Oh wow, I didn’t really think about that but I’ll def consider it. If you don’t mind me asking, what other symptoms do you have? I looked up some online and they said snoring and nasal bleeding and I’m not doing either so I just want to check.

Hey Charlize. Honestly, not really managing my anxiety, I’m seeing a psychiatrist on Jan 11 for the first time and I’m hoping she knows something

Cold air helps me the most. So I either step outside where it’s cool or use a cool mist humidifier. An inhaler can also help.

have you ever thought to see a cardiologist and can you afford one? I don’t know peoples situations so I’m not trying to be rude. I see one for POTS and a lot of the times, it feels like it’s hard to breathe. I also think I have endometriosis in my lungs but it’s hard to pin point which disorder or illness is triggering that pain

You should see an ENT to check your nose airways. I was told my shortness of breath was anxiety since my lungs were healthy and then I went to an at the advice of my therapist ENT and she discovered I had collapsed nasal valves. I have very little airflow through my nose! I wear a nasal dilator now as needed.

yawning helps a lot for me

I surely have this sensation when having significant anxiety. Are you managing your anxiety?

That’s really useful Tysm jadey

Thanks tavo, what type or probiotics are you taking?

Drink cold water, it calms the nervous system. Body scanning (focus on relaxing your muscles starting from your toes to the top of your head) helps me not focus on the chest pain.

Being experiencing shortness of breath for about a year now, I was diagnosed with GAD and believe it or not taking prebiotic, probiotics and live probiotics helps tremendously

Tyvm! Do you think it’ll get worse with yoga/exercise? I wanted to do that, but I’ve been scared about my heart rate going fast and then not being able to breathe more so I’ve been avoiding it. I get like that just from walking up the stairs recently

This is how it is for me and maybe it will help you. Meditate outside focusing on breathing preferably around nature to feel grounded. Shortness of breath caused by anxiety I think is just breathing at the wrong times or not breathing/holding your breath. And that really affects your chest cavity putting pressure on it. At least that’s how it is for me. Also, doing some stretches or yoga might help

What do you do with the cold water?

Cold water and diaphragm focused breathing

That’s really interesting and useful to know! Thanks for sharing that, looks like I’ll be lying on my stomach more often heh

Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll def try doing more breathing excercises

Turns out there is science behind it! It opens up your back lungs or the back of your lungs and creates better airflow especially if you have infection/drainage. The more you know

I always lie on my stomach for relief too! I don’t know if there’s science behind it but instinctually that’s what I do so I believe you!

looking up certain breathing exercises will help open up your lungs more!

They did test me for covid, it’s negative

Ye I’m currently lying down on my stomach and that seems to be helping. I lowkey think it’s all in my head but I really wish I can make it stop 😭

i know this may be obvious but did they test you for covid?

I have asthma, so I have an inhaler to help. Try breathing in cool air? Getting a mister(like that sprays air water to help you breathe)? Boiling water and using the steam/hot shower? Does position help affect it at all?

No, they didn’t give me a diagnosis, they just said it’s muscle pain and that it’ll go away after a few days. The pain has gone away, but I think maybe because I’m too focused on my body or maybe I’m too stressed that I have this problem rn. I was considering a getting an inhaler at this point because I really hate this feeling

Is there something specific that causes it? I have an inhaler because it's hard for me to catch my breath once I've lost it during exercise, maybe you could get something like that to help