Shortness of Breath

[Despain]

I'm scheduling my annual physical for this week, and googling really isn't helping. I recently turned 25 and now am facing an issue with a sudden onset of shortness of breath. My job is very labor intensive (I do not sit around, I'm on my feet at least 10 hours a day) and I've found myself struggling to keep up with something I've grown accustomed to (been doing it for almost 7 years).

Now weight isn't the issue either; I've weighed about the same for almost 3 years, nothing has changed. I'm concerned because this isn't normal for me. Also walking is starting to become a daunting task as well.

Google is telling me lung cancer. Please halp.

[Salodin]

You're already going to the doctor, no need for internet advice. Don't worry about it until there is something to worry about, that is the best advice I can give you coming from some one who went through a tumor/cancer scare last year with his gf.

[BaneTheBrawler]

Who are you to argue with Google?

[Anoat]

Could be a new allergy or you could be developing asthma, both can happen as you get older. Regardless, if you already have a doctor's appointment scheduled I wouldn't be concerned unless it takes a drastic turn before your appointment.

[Abandon]

sounds like you're a lunger now. it worked out (kinda) for doc holiday, at least

[Eldelphia]

Get yourself checked for anaemia. Especially B12.

[Emphasis]

Because of a pre-existing condition that I have, I won't be surprised if I start to get shortness of breath. If there were any existing causes in the first place is something that can be ruled out.

But yeah as already said, your doctor will handle it.

[Despain]

Thanks. I just needed some clarity. It's already keeping me up nights. I'm an overall healthy person, so when stuff like this starts to happen its worrisome.

[Zetanio]

Go to the doctor. Stop using Google/Webmd. Your doctor knows you best.

[LinktheDeme]

How much do you weigh and how tall are you?

Have you moved? Are there any suspects of black mold or etc in your house? Do you live in an old building and someone started doing work where asbestos is potentially moving about?

Has there been any new pollutants introduced in your common areas?

[FNH]

Allergies breh

[arus2001]

How long has it been going on? While others have suggested things like allergies, I wouldn't rule out something like walking pneumonia, either. And in some cases, it lasts for months. Nonetheless, yeah, doctor.

[jacobs67]

It's cancer

[Iono]

It's Lupus

[Fondue]

Zika

[Shenrien]

Anthrax finally made its way through the mailing system.

[Talus]

I hope you've seen your doctor already, but people are kind of taking a shotgun approach to questions. I think someone asked if you're tall because books frequently talk about the prototypical tall thin person with blebs at the apex of the lung that can burst and cause a spontaneous pneumothorax. Again, hopefully you've seen your doctor already. I don't check BG often any more-but I'm a medical student. This isn't medical advice, and is for educational purposes only.

Important questions to ask would be things like,

How long have you been short of breath? Has it come on quickly?
How much exercise or activity can you do before your shortness of breath stops you or slow you down? Can you walk up a flight of stairs?
Have you woken up at night with breathlessness or had to sleep sitting up?
Have you had heart or lung problems in the past?
Do you smoke?
Is there a feeling of tightness in your chest when you feel breathless?
Is the feeling really one of difficulty getting a satisfying breath?
Is it painful to take a deep breath?
Did the shortness of breath come on very quickly or instantaneously?
Are you often short of breath when you're anxious? Do you feel numbness and tingling around your lips when you are breathless?

The time onset/natural history differentiates clinical suspicion for your doctor:

Seconds to minutes: asthma, pulmonary embolus, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, anaphylaxis, foreign body obstructing the airway

Hours or days: COPD exacerbation, cardiac failure, asthma, respiratory infection, pleural effusion, metabolic acidosis

Weeks or longer: pulmonary fibrosis, COPD, interstitial lung disease, pleural effusion, anemia

This isn't an all-inclusive list, but if you're asked about the most common causes of shortness of breath (dyspnea), or any symptoms, you think about horses before you think about zebras.

[FNH]

I think the height question was related to the weight. Like if he was 300@5'5 that'd probably cause breathing issues. Anyway no one should be seeking medical treatment over the internet especially not on a mmo forum

[Dowzer]

Don't let anxiety get the best of you, it'll only make it seem worse than it really is. I had chest pain for over a year after a strenuous long weekend of dirt biking/downhill mountain biking. Didn't even crash or get in an accident, I was just out of shape and tweaked it somehow.

To sum up webMD assholes:

http://forlackofabettercomic.com/img/comic/249.png