Can't take a deep breath...?

Question

When I try and take a deep breath, it feels like something is almost restricting my lungs and I can't breath in all the way. It's been going on a few days, and it's not making me dizzy or anything, I just feel a little short of breath. Any ideas what could be wrong??

Just to add... I don't smoke, I don't spend much time around smokers. That is the only real symptom I have... No pain or anything. And it happens even when I am not engaged in vigerous activity. I could be just sitting still and it happens. Thanks for your help everyone!!

Answer 1

if you are a minor talk to your mom or dad, or go to the doctor to rule anything out. you never know it could be a bad chest cold or asthma or worse or nothing.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Can't take a deep breath...?
When I try and take a deep breath, it feels like something is almost restricting my lungs and I can't breath in all the way. It's been going on a few days, and it's not making me dizzy or anything, I just feel a little short of breath. Any ideas what could be wrong??

Answer 3

Try a benedryl. It may make you sleepy, but if you are having an allergic reaction to something, the benedryl will relieve the symptoms.

Actually this sounds like an anaphylactic reaction to a food item. Do you eat tuna fish? How often? People can have a favorite food become an allergen overnite...it does happen. I personally experienced what you are describing about five years ago. I have a bad habit of eating the same thing for lunch for a month...that month it was tuna fish. I went to the ER, they did a AP/Lateral chest x-ray but could not determine what was causing my constricted breathing. I stopped eating the tuna and the symptoms went away within about a week. I tried tuna again a month later and had a similar reaction.

Look at the foods you are eating. Typical culprits are: tuna, nuts, eggs, milk, wheat, chocolate, strawberries. Also, is there a perfume or skin cream you have been using since that first episode?

Answer 4

There is a wide variety of things this could be ...
As an asthma and allergy sufferer with a family history of panic attacks, I have had to learn several ways to assist breathing when rushing to an emergency room seems a little drastic. (But please do go see a doctor because if this is the beginning of asthma, you should carry a fast acting inhaler and there are daily treatments to prevent attacks. If this is allergy related, know that may put your mind at ease and tell you what to reach for the next time this happens. If this is panic/anxiety related, your doctor should be keeping an eye on it for further treatment options.)

-Drink warm broth (or any warm liquid - I've drank warm water but it doesn't really taste that great. I always keep a package of Ramen Noodles around for this problem.)
-Boil water (add mint tea or mint leaves if you have them) and carefully put your head near the steam and breathe in.
-Breathe in and out in a paper bag. (sandwich sized) Listen to yourself breath and reassure yourself that your lungs are working, you are breathing and you are fine.
-Massage your chest (once again if you have something minty, it helps - or Vicks Vapor Rub)
-Get in an area with a lot of open room and stretch your arms out in various positions away from your body. Concentrate on deep breathing and feeling your lungs expand.

Answer 5

Sounds like what I felt just before I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia. I didn't have a fever right away, not even cold or flu symptoms. Just troublle breathing, faint and dizzy and tired. Then a few days later, a constant unexplainable fever. Go to the doc and get some antibiotics if you gets fever or chills.

Answer 6

Hi. A few things you left out when you mentioned this symptom. Are you a smoker or spend time around smokers? Over time smoking reduces the ability of the lung walls to stretch, and covers precious air sacs in your lungs with tar (among other horrible things).

Does it hurt when you inhale? Do you have a fever? Are you exercising when you feel this uncomfortable breathlessness? Are you pregnant?

I have asthma. I didnt find out til I was in my 30s and was sick every month with bronchitus or pneumonia. But I was also a smoker. I quit smoking over a year ago, but still have problems, even though I take 2 expensive medications daily, whenever I get around smoke (from cigarettes, candles, fireplaces, fires... anything).

A full blown asthma attack feels like you are choking/drowning. But you can have a significant shortness of breath even without having a full attack. It feels like a heavy weight on your chest, you might lose the ability to speak or catch your breath just standing still. I rarely felt dizzy myself, unless I had bronchitus or was coughing very hard at the same time as I felt the shortness of breath.

No matter what... breathing problems, just like chest pain, is nothing to ignore. If you have significant problems catching your breath after a tiny bit of exercise, or just standing still. Go to the doctor as soon as you can.

Answer 7

Can T Take Deep Breath

Answer 8

hi baby doll... juz relax... i know it's not become worst yet. i do not know wether u've astma or not. if not, well u've to understand our lung and heart sometimes "needs to relax". it is same like a gear. they also need to change to which gear and sometimes stuck. if u try to take a deep breath, 1st of all u've to relax then try to take a deep breath... do it slowly, i'm sure u can. but at the same time, dont thing anything, free ur mind. this is from my experience.

Answer 9

Time to go see a Doctor ... sounds like congestion or it could be the start of something much worse ... but we're only guessing ... go get some professional advice :)

Answer 10

Sounds like a case of asthma. Regardless whether you're around allergens (i.e smoke, pets, dust.), The change of seasons exacerbates many asthmatics. Blame it on the changing and fluctuating weather.