skip to main content

shortness of breath

20 years ago

My niece (30) has been experiencing shortness of breath and tightness in her chest. It lasts for a couple days, goes away, then she gets it again for a couple days. Other than that she is basically healthy. Anyone have any ideas of what could be causing this? She works in a greenhouse, and has no insurance. Thanks, Ruth Ann

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

trekaren
20 years ago
She should find a clinic that would be willing to see her for lowered prices or free. Those symptoms can be benign, something like a pulled muscle or heartburn. But they can also be very serious, even at a young age. You say she's basically healthy --- is she at a healthy weight? Does she smoke? Are there any other risk factors? Either way, it should not be ignored.
AMAZING_GRACE
20 years ago
She needs to go to the Doctor NOW. If she is obese, smokes or has ANY family history of heart disease I would be VERY concerned. Sounds like a heart attack waiting to happen!
Related Discussions
I am back....
Q
Comments (6)
You guys are great. I have enjoyed the 2 days off so far here in Tempe. I have been swimming and we are going up to old Scottsdale in a little while and spend the day as tourists. I am making lots of notes about the things that I want to see on my travels and will hopefully get to come back with my sweet Robert and see it all again. I need to get a train ticket soon for home. Bye now times up
...See More
Peri or other?
Q
Comments (1)
Hi brittwl it certainly sounds like you could be entering peri some women can start with peri in their 30s a great book to read to try to help you is Kathryn petras The Premature Menopause Book it covers al aspects of this subject i9 gotit from the local library if you cant find it you could order it have a read and see what you think then you could maybe see someone andget some bloodtests done hope this helps chick
...See More
into peri- menopause. anyone with shortness of breathe
Q
Comments (10)
My boss said she experienced that right when she was in the middle of menopause where it felt she couldn't breathe good. She is extremely healthy, and slender. It went away for her after menopause. I have had that heavy feeling before also where it is hard to breathe in my 40's occasionally and my heart was checked out by stress test, echo and EKG, I was told my heart was perfect. I think menopause can cause a lot of symptoms and it is irritating when someone says that something is NOT a symptom of menopause. I have nocturnal panic attacks and they started at 46 years old and only now at 50 starting to decline a bit, but online a lot of reputable medical specialists will say this has nothing to do with menopause, all the while they will say "anxiety" does. So if multiple women are saying, HEY I HAVE THIS AND I AM IN PERIMENOPAUSE, it could be something to it and be due to menopausal symptoms whether Doctors want to believe it or not. Right now, there is not enough research done to rule OUT any symptoms of menopause, and most Doctors are themselves men, or women Doctors who just happened to NOT go through a particularly symptom, but don't discredit it just because you yourself did not experience it, or because you did not learn that as a menopausal symptom. It makes women go crazy when people say, NO that is not menopause. I mean, you don't really know.
...See More
Lung problems after tearing up a floor?
Q
Comments (14)
"North Safety model 770030" Complete and total overkill for the vast majority of 'old house' work. A high quality disposable with an exhale valve, twin straps, and a formable nose piece is all you need. The vast majority of safety gear and standards are written for occupational exposures of 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. that is why OSHA (Occupation Safety and Health Administration) writes them, and they do NOT alply to individuals in their own homes. There are a few VERY dangerous things you can work with, some that no mask is rated to stop (some auto paints come to mind that require positive pressure breathing gear for anyone using them). Methylene chloride paint stripper is well know to be dangerous to anyone with compromised heart blood circulation (it acts like CO in the body and ties up the bloods ability to carry oxygen). A half face mask is overkill for the vast majority of DIY type jobs unless you have a known sensitivity to something you are using like epoxy amine sensitivity). Just plain old dust and dirt is irritating in high doses for many folks. Your lungs will clear it out in a week or two. If you have no other symptoms, tincture of time is likely the cure.
...See More
MoAtWork
20 years ago
RuthAnn,
My question is: what type of chemicals is she exposed to? Does she feel better when she isn't working in the greenhouse? (ok, sorry 2 questions!)
lazy_gardens
20 years ago
"She works in a greenhouse"!

Lung infections, chemical exposure, etc. it's quite possibile that she can at least get an exam for an occupational injury.

This is NOT something to ignore.
rabbit8
20 years ago
Wish I could help. I just scheduled today to go see a heart specialist. I too am experiencing shortness of breath from doing minor work around the house. My colestral is kind of high.
goldy
20 years ago
Sounds like heart problems.Thats what my doctor told me.I walk three miles everyday and ride my bike .Still I have this shortness of breath.I take pills and go on.You can't let it worry you this will kill you quicker than your illness.He said I was born with a hole in my heart .I'm 73 and I guess it's just catching up with me.See your doctor and when you get the shortness just stop what you are doing and sit down.So far it works for me.
joann23456
20 years ago
Has your niece gone to see a doctor yet? If not, she really needs to go. I agree with the posters who wrote that shortness of breath is a major sign of heart problems.
tnlady
20 years ago
Just throwing another out... Sometimes "otherwise healthy" will preclude complaining about a sore back. Does she have any pain or tightness between her shoulder blades/mid-back?

If she does and is otherwise TRULY healthy, she might try moist heat on the area and some analgesics. Someone give the girl a massage!! Good Chiropractic adjustment would help that also.

I only mention this because of the "off and on" pattern. I've had the same thing since running an Organic Farm years ago...lots of heavy lifting. Have never been the same and it will re-appear over lifting minor stuff in my "middle" years.

Good Luck to her!!

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Breathing Room for a California Family

By Tiffany Carboni

Wide-open walkways and generous storage give a couple who love to host all the kitchen space they need

MORE ROOMS Junk-Storing Garage Becomes a Cabana Getaway

By Becky Harris

See how a family short on space swapped storage for a steam shower, a wet bar and room to play

MOST POPULAR Three Magic Words for a Clean Home and a Better Life

By Alison Hodgson

Not a natural tidying and organizing whiz? Take hope in one short phrase that can change your life forever

DECLUTTERING 5 Ways to Jump-Start a Whole-House Decluttering Effort

By Laura Gaskill

If the piles of paperwork and jampacked closets have you feeling like a deer in the headlights, take a deep breath and a baby step

DECORATING GUIDES 7 Bedroom Styling Tricks Anyone Can Do

By Eclectic Creative

Short on time or money? You can spruce up your bedroom quickly and easily with these tips

HEALTHY HOME What You Need to Know About Dust and How to Fight It

By Mitchell Parker

Breathe easier with these 10 tips for busting mites, dander and other microscopic undesirables

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Making Over a Rental for About $1,500

By Becky Harris

Fresh paint, new hardware, added storage, rugs and unexpected touches breathe new life into a Los Angeles apartment’s kitchen

DECORATING GUIDES Houzz Tour: Room for Everything in Just 596 Square Feet

By Becky Harris

Multipurpose furniture, careful color choices and tucked-away storage let a once-cluttered house breathe

HOLIDAYS 10 Tips for a Calm, Heartfelt Thanksgiving

By Laura Gaskill

Go easy on yourself this year and allow some breathing room to enjoy the holiday

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: A Modern Addition Joins a Historic California Home

By Tiffany Carboni

Two design pros give their century-old home extra breathing room while boosting its energy efficiency

Sponsored

More Discussions

Question regarding Basmati rice calories

19