Q: Hey Doc, I have chest pain since 2 days back and if it becomes severe, my breathing becomes abnormal (difficult breathing). I went to the hospital and was given painkillers. There’s no cough so what could be the problem?

A: Difficulty in breathing could be short term or long term.

Sudden onset of shortness of breath could be due to:

• Lung problems
  • Asthma
  • Pneumonia
  • Upper airway obstruction
  • Collapsed lung
• Heart problems
  • Heart attack
  • Heart failure
  • Low blood pressure
  • Sudden blood loss
  • A panic attack
  • Severe allergic reaction

Chronic (long-term) shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing could be due to:

• Poorly controlled asthma
• Obesity
• Heart failure
• Anaemia
• Collection of fluid around the lungs

Given the association of this difficulty in breathing with chest pain, I suggest you see your doctor as soon as possible to rule out the causes mentioned above and arrive at a specific diagnosis.

All the…