How To Stop Forced Exhale Breathing

[Kieron23]

I am a 21 year old male. I'm not over weight, I seem to have a problem with breathing which is quite hard to explain, It feels like I have to consciously control my breathing (ie Forced breaths in and out). I also seem to do the action clear my throat ( when it does not need to be cleared) and take a deep exhale after every few breaths and especially when I am in conversation. I will consciously have to have a deep exhale. The best description I have come up with is it is more of a habbit ie I know I am doing it but can not seem to stop. I am a smoker if that has anything to do with it.
I have searched online and not found any answers. Can someone please help me in finding out why it is caused or how to stop it?

Thanks in advance.

[Kieron23]

Thanks for the detailed answers. I did break my nose about 10 years ago and it never got fixed correctly. I breath threw my nose and it doesn't make too much noise. My breathing also does not increase too much when eating it only gets blocked when I lie down to sleep. My breathing also becomes forced and I constantly have to push a breath out for ever few breaths I take in and make the action of clearing my throat threw my nose. I will investigate what you have said and I apriciate it. Thanks again,

[czarboom]

COPD, but your way young for that.  Your breathing could be from sinus issues.  Broken nose etc.  I do that at times, and have figured out that when my sinuses are the worse I breathing becomes forced.  Do you breath from your mouth or nose.  If its from your mouth your doing it cause you cant breath and you need to, then you focus on it and cant stop.  What about eating, does your breathing increase then.  When you breath from your nose does it make noise, could be a deviated septum, or something like that.  Check with your Dr if any of these apply to you.  Also anxiety can cause this as well, or the increase in blood pressure from smoking.  good luck

[jemma116]

Sounds that it may be due to anxiety.

It may be worth seeing your doctor to check your lung function to rule out asthma.