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shortage of breath

I am 27 years old male. I started smoking when I was 20. However, recently I have been experiencing shortage of breath every time I wake up from sleeping and it is accompanied with dry cough ... Sometimes it happens to me 3 or 4 time a day and sometimes it does not happen to me daily. anyways I have been taking Ventolin as it provides me with temporary relief, but am still worried from the causes of this feeling of heavy lungs and shortage of breath.
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1355118 tn?1298564879
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi, COPD is a chronic disorder, there is airflow limitation is usually progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases.

This airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. Acute exacerbation means recent development of infection. This needs treatment with appropriate antibiotics.

It is not that serious or emergency condition. It is preventable, if proper care is taken. You also need to quit smoking to prevent further damage to lungs. Take care and regards.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I did not see a physician yet because now am traveling outside my country, and am waiting until  I go back to see my physician and that might take for like 3 weeks ...so if you will please answer my first comment about how serious you think my symptoms are and if you can simply explain the COPD.

Thank You
I appreciate your answer
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Avatar universal
How serious do you think my condition is? and I did not quite understand what is cute exacerbations of COPD, can you explain to me in a simpler way please
Helpful - 0
1355118 tn?1298564879
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi, welcome to the forum, your symptoms are suggestive of acute exacerbations of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). But other associations needed to be ruled out are asthma, interstitial lung disease, and cardiomyopathy, valvular disorders, pericardial diseases, anemia etc.

You need to undergo chest radiograph, respiratory function tests to rule out COPD. Acid reflux disease is known to cause acute exacerbation of COPD. Even allergic conditions or asthma is known to cause such symptoms.

For other mentioned conditions you may have to undergo Hb% level, ECG, echocardiography to diagnose the exact cause and appropriate treatment.

Adding of mucolytics and steroids (provided no infection is present) to ventolin will help. I suggest you to consult physician for further evaluation and prescription. Take care and regards.


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