Trouble Breathing

[Camilla]

I've recently had trouble breathing. I'm naturally a mouth breather, but I've taught myself how to breathe through my nose. However, I've noticed that when I'm even slightly congested, I have to revert to breathing through my mouth or I just don't get enough oxygen. This has happened a lot recently, plus I've felt like I've had to work harder to draw the oxyen into my lungs when breathing through my mouth. Could this be an allergy? Just a phase? A concern? I am seeing the doctor on June 21, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about what this could be and thoughts about whether I should be worried. Thanks!!!

[SunnyDyRain]

I've recently had trouble breathing. I'm naturally a mouth breather, but I've taught myself how to breathe through my nose. However, I've noticed that when I'm even slightly congested, I have to revert to breathing through my mouth or I just don't get enough oxygen. This has happened a lot recently, plus I've felt like I've had to work harder to draw the oxyen into my lungs when breathing through my mouth. Could this be an allergy? Just a phase? A concern? I am seeing the doctor on June 21, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about what this could be and thoughts about whether I should be worried. Thanks!!!

My mom has a hard time breathing when she eats wheat, she isn't celiac, (she is resisting testing) but that is one of her main problems.

It's also allergy season!

[Ursa Major]

I get breathing problems when I eat rice or eggs, plus, yes, it is allergy season.

So, it could be another food intolerance, you could be getting glutened, or you may just be reacting to something in the air.

Did something change for you lately, like getting a new pet, change in home environment, new car, new rugs, new furniture, or have you painted anything in your house lately? All those could trigger breathing difficulties for me.

[Camilla]

Thank you both.

My husband did some painting in the basement. I can't think of any other changes, though I have been eating more corn than usual, so maybe that's it. Do you know if there's any way for me to figure this out aside from trial and error? (The breathing difficulties is stressing me out some.)

[gfgypsyqueen]

Change the air filters in the house and do a thorough cleaning. Something like pollen might just be adding to the problem for you.

[jerseyangel]

You didn't mention this, but for me, indigestion can cause me to have trouble breathing.

My allergist said it was bronchial spasms due to reflux.

Just another idea, hope you get it figured out soon--it is pretty disconcerting

[SunnyDyRain]

If your going to be seeing your doctor and it really bothers you, pehaps you can get an Albuterol inhaler. It's a pretty safe drug, and I just use mine when I have problems with allergies or exercise or overall damp muggy weather. Just a puff and it opens me up nice.

[Kassie]

a couple of years ago i was experiencing difiicult breathing. i kept feeling like i had to take big deep breaths over and over again like several times a minute constantly. even though i was taking deep breaths i felt like i wasnt getting in enough oxygen. at first they thought that maybe i had anxiety but that wasnt the case. i went to a GI and they found out it was my reflux causing it. they put me on prevacid and i have been better ever since.

Now after being gluten free i have stopped taking prevacid and i have been totally fine when before it was pretty severe.

[photocat]

Due to generalized inflammation in my body, I went on an elimination diet in April / May and discovered the following respiratory reactions when I eat the following:

Dairy (except some cheese seems to be okay), soy, eggs, onions: phlegmy coughing for about an hour or two. It begins immediately after I eat.

Wheat: A few hours or even the next day after ingesting it I get nasal congestion, starts with several sneezes, and then trouble getting a deep, satisfying breath. Sometimes I get a bit achy all over and sluggish - mild but noticeable. The trouble with the breathing is the most uncomfortable of all these symptoms and it lasts for several days well after I stopped eating wheat.

Last year, before I realized food could have such effects on the body, I was on prednisone for a couple of months and the breathing thing was twice as bad. (Or course, I was still eating wheat, etc every day). So medications can also impact such a reaction.

I have yet to understand whether it is a true allergy or intolerance. Due to some other medical issues, I'm doctored out at the moment and the thought of going to an allergist (new doc in my rotation) and getting stuck so many times which may only end up in false positives or false negatives...yeah, none of that is appealing. Maybe next year.

I used to have the occasional bout of acid reflux too but that is gone now as I avoid processed foods, wheat, and dairy. I never could tie the acid reflux to the breathing thing though. Possible but I doubt it likely for me.

sue

[photocat]

oh and now that it is after 6/21 - what did your doctor say?