Resolved question:
Recently it appears that I am waking up because I am holding my breath. Over the last 2 weeks, I've had more difficulty falling and staying asleep as I am congested from bronchitis. As I am falling asleep, my chest seems to feel some pressure so it's hard for me to get to sleep. I am a 43-year-old, 120 lb. female.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Pulmonologist
Dear Patient,
Thank you for your consult at DoctorSpring.com.
I would need answers to the following to help you best.
How old have been these symptoms? Were you absolutely normal before 2 weeks?
Did you have any asthmatic symptoms during your childhood / in the past?
Is there any associated noisy breathing?
Do you have any breathlessness in lying position / exacerbation of breathlessness in lying down position?
Do you have any other associated problems such as running nose, sneezing/reddness of eyes?
Is there any swelling of feet?
Are you a smoker?
regarding your weight - I would like to know whether it is appropriate to your height. so kindly provide your height also.
If you are on any medications, please provide history of the same.
All these questions are to get a better idea of your disease condition and to help you better. Please reply as follow-up.
Regards
Dr. Jacob George P
MD, FCCP
Thank you for responding. In answer to your questions, I have noticed waking up breathless for several months but I didn't find it disruptive until recently. I do not have a history of asthma...I developed allergies about 8 yrs ago. I did have a running nose and still do have some nose and sinus congestion. I am more congested when I lie down. I have not noticed feet swelling. I am not a smoker and I am 5'3". Should I be worried about a sleep disorder on top of everything?
Hello,
Thank you for answering my queries, in the best and complete manner.
I have a strong inclination to believe that you are developing a reactive airway disease/ similar to asthma. Running nose is usually an allergic symptom - called allergic rhinitis, and it on long run - if under-treated can go on to develop asthma. The symptoms of asthma are usually more in early morning because of the cool temperature. The chest tightness is probably because of a spasm of the airways.
The running nose also needs to be tackled first because it acts as a trigger for the same. All said, it is a silly disease which can be controlled well by adequate medications taken under advice, without any side effects.
The above diagnosis comes from a history, and I may be wrong. However, i don't consider the possibility of any sleep disorders at present. The negative answers given comfortably rules out a lot of other causes of breathlessness including sleep disorders and cardiac causes.
I also will advice a pulmonary function test with post bronchodilator repeat to confirm the diagnosis.
Hope this helped. Feel free to ask any more clarifications, if needed.
Regards
Dr.Jacob George P
MD,FCCP