I'm not sure if I'll get much help from here since it's more of a medical question rather than a fitness question but I'll give it a shot.
So in high school I had some trouble breathing deeply, I felt like I had chest pressure. I went to the doctor and they asked if exercise made it worse and I said that it actually made it better (after I exercised). I guess exercises like jogging or swimming trained lungs to open up more and so I was able to breath just fine.
The doctors did give me an inhalor because they thought that it could be a mild version of asthma, though it was never confirmed. So for the past 7 years or so I try to go for runs at least three times a week (good runs, at least 4 miles each time). So for the past 9 months I have not had this problem. But for the past couple of days the problem came back. I usually have it worse at night when I'm trying to go to bed. It bothers me not being able to take a deep breath and the more I think about it the worse I think it gets.
I haven't done as much running as I used to because I've been lifting heavy and it's hard to run 5 miles and then do a total body wt lifting.
Does anyone have this problem? Or have any tips on breathing exercises that could make it feel better?
Help me breath better!!!
Moderators: Boss Man, cassiegose
Sounds like the reduced Aerobic activity, for Weight lifting, may have conributed to the breathing problem returning.
If you don't, I suggest you keep remembering to breath out properly through the mouth when you lift. Some people keep forgetting, and don't breath enough causing very rapid heartbeat. I've done it myself before now, quite a few times, usually focusing on technique.
Also if you're breathing properly, but mainly out through the nose, that might possibly be affecting Tidal Volume as it's known, breath in and out in one cycle.
The other thing you could try, is breathing in through your Mouth. Obviously, don't have a big fish mouth when you train, but maybe a small discreet gap, for breathing in and out, assuming some additonal air will also pass in through the nose, then that might increase Oxygen intake, and also probably increase CO2 expulsion, thus potentially improving Tidal Volume ability.
That's what I would say might possibly work for you at the moment, as it seems that you might have gotten reduced T V, if you indeed have reduced Aerobic quantity per week, allowing that old problem to come back.
Another possibility is, if it reoccurs, just take a few deep breaths, calm down, and try not to start getting stressed, or a bit flustered, or get a panicky, disrupted mindset, as it doesn't sound like it's going to trigger off something serious, like sudden a Cardiovascular issue, that could put you in hospital, so I wouldn't suddenly get too worried about it, in that instance, just calmly and sensibly, take a few moments to compose yourself, breathe, and if needs be, put something down, and then maybe pick it up again, to finish off what you were doing, rather than do half a set for example.
Either of those things, could possibly work for you, if you're not doing then already.
You might also want to consider dietary possibilities, like increasing Iron and Copper sources.
Iron plays a part of Erythrocyte, (Red Blood Cell), counts, which contain the Oxygen carrying Heamoglobin, and one thing Copper does, is play a part in the way Iron is used and stored.
I say this as giving the body improved levels of Erythrocytes, might increase the bodies Oygenation potential, and therefore the amount of Oxygen, that can be supplied to the Lungs, and it's supporting tissues and cells.
Vitamin C, Amino Acids, and Capsicum apparently play a part in Iron boosting, but Caffeine, plays a part in baulking some of Iron absorbtion, so perhaps limit or remove it from the Diet.
For Copper sources, things like Legumes, Nuts, probably Peanuts, and I think Shellfish, Liver, and some Meats, as well as Whole-grains would be ideal in the diet. Veggies do contribute a bit as well.
You only need around 2-3mg's a day.
For Iron, most foods are rich, but Red Meats, Poultry and Fish are some of the Iron kings, as they contain the Heam Iron, which is absorbed at roughly 15-20%. Whole-grain is a big Non-heam player, and although Non-heam is around 5-10% absorbed, Whole-grain is pretty much the best source of that plant matter Iron you can get.
Iron needs to be around double a mans intake for women under 50, (14-15mg's), as Women menstruate it, so if it was a lack of Oxygen in your system, contributing to your problem, it could be triggered by possibly reduced Iron content and associated effects, resulting from Menstruation.
Another possibility, is ot eat mroe Quercetin based foods. Quercertin is an Anti-inflammatory and Anti-histamine based food, so things like Apples, Peppers and onions, (especially red), would be good, just incase you are getting some kind of allergenic response in the Lungs.
Then you could rule out that perhaps, by trying to combat the possibility, some kind of allergens are playing some part in, or completely influencing your situation.
Hopefully you've got a few thoughts to play around with. I don't know if these will correct your issue, but maybe thye might.
I hope you can overcome this slight issue as soon as possible, but please try not to worry, and should things persist for a considerable length of time, perhaps seek medical help, or that of an ENT specialist, or Cardiologist, whichever is deemed appropriate.
Good luck and let us know how you're doing, as we do value the health and wellbeing of people like you and I wish you well with this
.
If you don't, I suggest you keep remembering to breath out properly through the mouth when you lift. Some people keep forgetting, and don't breath enough causing very rapid heartbeat. I've done it myself before now, quite a few times, usually focusing on technique.
Also if you're breathing properly, but mainly out through the nose, that might possibly be affecting Tidal Volume as it's known, breath in and out in one cycle.
The other thing you could try, is breathing in through your Mouth. Obviously, don't have a big fish mouth when you train, but maybe a small discreet gap, for breathing in and out, assuming some additonal air will also pass in through the nose, then that might increase Oxygen intake, and also probably increase CO2 expulsion, thus potentially improving Tidal Volume ability.
That's what I would say might possibly work for you at the moment, as it seems that you might have gotten reduced T V, if you indeed have reduced Aerobic quantity per week, allowing that old problem to come back.
Another possibility is, if it reoccurs, just take a few deep breaths, calm down, and try not to start getting stressed, or a bit flustered, or get a panicky, disrupted mindset, as it doesn't sound like it's going to trigger off something serious, like sudden a Cardiovascular issue, that could put you in hospital, so I wouldn't suddenly get too worried about it, in that instance, just calmly and sensibly, take a few moments to compose yourself, breathe, and if needs be, put something down, and then maybe pick it up again, to finish off what you were doing, rather than do half a set for example.
Either of those things, could possibly work for you, if you're not doing then already.
You might also want to consider dietary possibilities, like increasing Iron and Copper sources.
Iron plays a part of Erythrocyte, (Red Blood Cell), counts, which contain the Oxygen carrying Heamoglobin, and one thing Copper does, is play a part in the way Iron is used and stored.
I say this as giving the body improved levels of Erythrocytes, might increase the bodies Oygenation potential, and therefore the amount of Oxygen, that can be supplied to the Lungs, and it's supporting tissues and cells.
Vitamin C, Amino Acids, and Capsicum apparently play a part in Iron boosting, but Caffeine, plays a part in baulking some of Iron absorbtion, so perhaps limit or remove it from the Diet.
For Copper sources, things like Legumes, Nuts, probably Peanuts, and I think Shellfish, Liver, and some Meats, as well as Whole-grains would be ideal in the diet. Veggies do contribute a bit as well.
You only need around 2-3mg's a day.
For Iron, most foods are rich, but Red Meats, Poultry and Fish are some of the Iron kings, as they contain the Heam Iron, which is absorbed at roughly 15-20%. Whole-grain is a big Non-heam player, and although Non-heam is around 5-10% absorbed, Whole-grain is pretty much the best source of that plant matter Iron you can get.
Iron needs to be around double a mans intake for women under 50, (14-15mg's), as Women menstruate it, so if it was a lack of Oxygen in your system, contributing to your problem, it could be triggered by possibly reduced Iron content and associated effects, resulting from Menstruation.
Another possibility, is ot eat mroe Quercetin based foods. Quercertin is an Anti-inflammatory and Anti-histamine based food, so things like Apples, Peppers and onions, (especially red), would be good, just incase you are getting some kind of allergenic response in the Lungs.
Then you could rule out that perhaps, by trying to combat the possibility, some kind of allergens are playing some part in, or completely influencing your situation.
Hopefully you've got a few thoughts to play around with. I don't know if these will correct your issue, but maybe thye might.
I hope you can overcome this slight issue as soon as possible, but please try not to worry, and should things persist for a considerable length of time, perhaps seek medical help, or that of an ENT specialist, or Cardiologist, whichever is deemed appropriate.
Good luck and let us know how you're doing, as we do value the health and wellbeing of people like you and I wish you well with this
.Wow Boss man, thanks for such a detailed response. The first time I read it, it sounded like I could have reduced T V. But then I started thinking of what else I have been doing differently lately other than less aerobic activity.... I have also been taking Omega-3 pills that contain fish oils. And then your idea of being allergic to something came to mind. I am not allergic to fish but I am allergic to shellfish. shellfish allergy affects breathing, it becomes harder and harder to breath and I have lots of chest pressure until I take some over the counter medicine to counter the allergy. So what I have is a much more mild version of allergy symptoms.
I read the lable on the omega-3 pills bottle and it only says fish oils and other ingredients that don't seem to come from animals (I think), could there be shellfish oils in there too? I take about 3 pills a day, though it says I should only take 1 a day.
One more thing I forgot to mention earlier. When I was just a few months old I had bronchitis for a few months. Could lungs have gotten affected in the long run? Who knows.
I will try to go for a long jog today and see how I feel tonight. If I don't feel it tonight, it's probably just re-occuring problem I had in the past. If I still feel it then it's something new (possibly and allergy).
I read the lable on the omega-3 pills bottle and it only says fish oils and other ingredients that don't seem to come from animals (I think), could there be shellfish oils in there too? I take about 3 pills a day, though it says I should only take 1 a day.
One more thing I forgot to mention earlier. When I was just a few months old I had bronchitis for a few months. Could lungs have gotten affected in the long run? Who knows.
I will try to go for a long jog today and see how I feel tonight. If I don't feel it tonight, it's probably just re-occuring problem I had in the past. If I still feel it then it's something new (possibly and allergy).
Bronchitis could be an issue, if it's left behind some slight damage. If it has, whether it's permanent or temporary, in that instance, only time would tell.
As for the Fish Oil pills, there shouldn't be any Shellfish content in it. The Shellfish allergy usually results from the Chitin content, which is why Shellfish allergy sufferers, can't have Glucosamine, and Chitosan for Bone health benefits.
I couldn't totally rule out the pills having Shellfish content, but Chitin would be the culprit. If it isn't clear on the label, see if they have a website, with content information, as that might be more clear.
As for the Fish Oil pills, there shouldn't be any Shellfish content in it. The Shellfish allergy usually results from the Chitin content, which is why Shellfish allergy sufferers, can't have Glucosamine, and Chitosan for Bone health benefits.
I couldn't totally rule out the pills having Shellfish content, but Chitin would be the culprit. If it isn't clear on the label, see if they have a website, with content information, as that might be more clear.
This may sound a little weird but bare with me. You bedding may be an issue if you find evening and bed time an issue.
1. What type of pillow do you have? If feather, try foam.
2. How often do you wash your pillow and bedding, including your comforter.
3. Do you use liquid fleacy or 'bounce' sheets? Stop! These can cause issues, especially the sheets.
4. Do you have cats... you may not be allergic to cats but what about the dust from the litter.
5. Check your bathroom and kitchen for moulds.... These often cause problems, (not calling you dirty or that you don't clean, sometimes you don't even realize its there)
cheers, these are just some things to check....
1. What type of pillow do you have? If feather, try foam.
2. How often do you wash your pillow and bedding, including your comforter.
3. Do you use liquid fleacy or 'bounce' sheets? Stop! These can cause issues, especially the sheets.
4. Do you have cats... you may not be allergic to cats but what about the dust from the litter.
5. Check your bathroom and kitchen for moulds.... These often cause problems, (not calling you dirty or that you don't clean, sometimes you don't even realize its there)
cheers, these are just some things to check....