My Breathing sometimes come to a halt - #11540
Sometimes I find myself not breathing when I’m doing things on my day to day routine. Is that normal? It doesn’t affect anything like make me lightheaded, but I find myself doing this a lot. Is there anything that I need to be worried about
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Doctors’ responses
Hello Kayla,
Thank you for reaching out, I understand your concern and I’ll guide you.
So, this is happening only whole doing some activity.
You need to tell me any chest pain, palpitations (feeling your own heartbeat over chest), swelling in legs, or sleep related issues ?
And you’ve already cleared that you don’t have any chronic illnesses.
Many people occasionally hold their breath unconsciously while concentrating, stressed or doing activities.
If you’re not having dizziness, fainting or other symptoms, it’s often harmless and related to habit, stress or anxiety.
When to worry and get yourself tested - 1. Chest pain or tightness. 2. Shortness of breath on physical activity. 3. Palpitations ot Blackout
My advice - 1. Try to be conscious of your breathing pattern, especially while focusing on tasks. 2. Practice slow deep breathing 5-10 mins/day. 3. Reduce stress, caffeine & ensure proper sleep.
(If you are having any form of stress or anxiety and need support feel free to reach out to my profile and I’ll be more than happy to help as I’ve ample experience in treating such conditions)
Hello Kayla, Your symptoms cab be due to some allergy, compromised lung functions.
I suggest you to visit Pulmonologist for further evaluation and management. You should start treatment only after thorough examination, detailed history and investigations.
Take care.
1.Brief pauses in breathing during daily activities can sometimes be due to anxiety, stress, or habit (like breath holding while concentrating).
2.If it doesn’t cause dizziness, fainting, or chest pain, it’s often not dangerous but still worth monitoring.
3.Rule out sleep apnea (pauses during sleep), asthma, or nasal blockage if symptoms also happen at night.
4.Practice mindful breathing, yoga, or relaxation techniques to improve awareness of your breath.
5.If pauses increase, or you develop shortness of breath, chest tightness, or daytime fatigue, consult a physician or pulmonologist for lung/heart evaluation.
Hello dear See as per clinical history it seems either decrease in breathing capacity due to inherent health issues or weak lungs I am suggesting some tests for confirmation Please share the results with pulmonary surgeon for better clarification Fevi1/fev2 test Respiratory efficiency CBC X ray chest Chest ultrasound Please share the details with concerned physician only and take any medications upon recommendation from concerned physician only Hopefully you recover soon Regards
Intermittent pauses in your breathing can be concerning, and it’s good you’re paying attention to it. While occasional cessation of breath during activities can occur, it’s important to differentiate whether this might be a pattern or if there are any underlying conditions. Sometimes, people hold their breath during activities that require concentration or exertion, a phenomenon that’s fairly common and usually not harmful if brief and infrequent. However, regular episodes of halted breathing could indicate a condition like sleep apnea, even if it doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms during the day. Sleep apnea, for example, tends to manifest more prominently during sleep but could indicate other issues contributing to daytime symptoms. If you’re experiencing frequent or sustained periods where you stop breathing, even without immediate adverse effects like lightheadedness or fatigue, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider. They can perform a thorough check-up, considering if tests like a sleep study or pulmonary function tests might be warranted based on further findings. To start, track when these episodes occur, note any potential triggers or patterns, and be honest about any lifestyle factors like stress or anxiety, since these can unconsciously alter breathing patterns. Pay attention to whether factors like anxiety or particular tasks trigger more frequent incidents. While it might not be immediately worrying, ruling out underlying issues is essential for your peace of mind and health.
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