Its hard to breathe when i bend over, is this normal? why would this be?

Question

i am a 20yr old female from wisconsin, when i bend over i get very short of breath and very exahuasted, this also happens when walking up the stairs or just laying in bed or sitting in a chair talking to someone, im not anxious or stressed, i am overweight i am 5'7 and 235 pounds, would this be the whole reason that this is happening or would there be another underlying reason?

Answer 1

Bending over or just lying in bed shouldn't make a person short of breath. Have you kept a journal or when it happens? Being specific about circumstances will help a doctor determine the probable cause. If you have not had an annual physical by a doctor, get one. There could be reasons other than extra pounds. If the doctor does not find another reason (such as allergy/asthma) for your shortness of breath, and says it's due to the extra weight, your physical fitness level is less than desirable, and you should ask the doctor to recommend an appropriate exercise regimen you can follow daily. Possibly get a referral to a nutritionist -- or eat 6 small meals per day of primarily leafy vegetables and fruits with small amounts of protein in the form of legumes (such as chick peas or black beans), fish, or chicken. Excess weight puts a strain on your inner organs as well as your joints, and you will have future health problems if you do not improve your strength and stamina. Aerobic activity and weight-bearing exercise are both important, but start slow and build up. There are plenty of internet-based programs and supportive sites to help you achieve your goals.

Answer 2

These are symptoms of many things, so its probably not too useful to guess - a check-up would be a good idea. There is a syndrome associated with obesity called obesity hypoventilation syndrome which can do exactly what you are describing -- but its not safe to assume that this is what is causing the problem.