To ask if you know why I’m struggling to get enough air in my lungs

[Outandabouty]

I’m not short of breath or anything but I frequently find I feel like I am shallow breathing and need more air in my lungs but struggle to take a big deep breath. I then have to try to force air in if you see what I mean.

I am 47 and fit and well, I’m not overweight, I exercise regularly and run every other day, I don’t smoke and I don’t have asthma.

Is this just me? Any idea if it’s normal or not?

[IamSmarticus]

I get this occasionally. The first time I went to the Dr's who said it was panic attacks. I don't think so, and I don't get anxiety either. Didn't bother going back when it happened again and it must be 25 years now.

I tried some of the breathing exercises mentioned by a PP and they do help a bit but it usually passes in a few days.

[Pickingmyselfup]

I've had this on and off for years, had tests but nothing flagged up. I think a lot of it is stress related, it does seem worse when I'm having a difficult time.

Nothing to do with covid for me, been happening since about 2012/2013 and didn't have any virus beforehand that I'm aware of, nothing more than a cold anyway.

[megletthesecond]

I get this. I've just had an xray and blood tests. All OK. Give blood regularly and never been anaemic. Slim and work out, never smoked.
I have bought a peak flow meter and have only once almost got it to the lowest score for my age range, the rest of the tkme it's well under. Something is going on.

[bollockssomehow]

Hi @Outandabouty I had this for years. I was diagnosed with asthma but the medicine never seemed to work. Then I randomly stumbled across an article about over breathing and hyperventilation syndrome. It sounded exactly like my symptoms so I found a specialist and they confirmed I had it and basically I had to do breathing exercises to teach my body how to breathe properly again. It has completely gone now and if it ever does come back, I do the exercises and it goes away. It's a complex thing that is linked to anxiety. I'd also encourage you to read the book Breath by James Nestor. Happy to chat to you more about it if you want to pm me. This might not be what you're experiencing but thought it was worth posting in case it is!

[gigithecat]

yes and you worded it better @iwasyou 😁

[HelloVeritas]

Could be anxiety or post infection but 'air hunger' definitely linked to anaemia - get ferritin, folate and B12 checked.

[FeedMeSantiago]

It could be all sorts of things but please do see your GP.

Things like asthma can develop at any time, I know a few people with adult onset asthma so do ensure you see a doctor so they can consider the various possibilities.

[eurochick]

I had this and I think the cause was mould. I seem to have developed an allergy to the spores in my 40s. It would be the right time of year for it with the weather turning.

[Anonymouseposter]

It needs checking out, as you can see from the responses it could be a number of things but I do find that good long out breaths help with it.
Breathe out for a count of 11 and in for 7.
Do see your GP to get it checked.

[PinkArt]

I have panic attacks and have had blood clots in the past, when I was early 30s and in good health. This sounds more like the former to me but would suggest visiting the doctors for peace of mind. Worst case if it is something like clots, the NHS will move very quickly. After initial blood test results came in I was called and asked to go straight to A&E and that they would contact them while I was en route. I initially went to the GP for mine due to shortness of breath but I would describe it like the shortness of breath if you just pegged it to catch a bus - it came on quite quickly and stayed on a level, but when doing nothing more strenuous than walking to a shop.

[ParkrunWithDog]

Anemia or low B12. I’ve had both and with both I felt

[perenniallymessy]

Another one saying it sounds like me post-covid. As a PP said, it feels like a too tight sports bra. It's really annoying as I've been exercising for years, but it's so much harder as I feel like I can't get enough air in when I run/exercise hard, and because I'm not getting as much oxygen in my muscles are tiring more easily.

I do a Cyclone spin class where you measure your 'Functional Threshold Power' (so the power in watts you can sustain for an hour). Mine is now 20% lower after covid than it was before and I haven't been able to improve it over the last six months.

[iwasyou]

cross post gigi

[iwasyou]

This might sound a bit counterintuitive OP but just check if you are breathing out enough. If you don't take time to slowly breathe out there isn't enough room to breathe in properly if that makes sense.
Look up some breathing exercises online. There might be some related to yoga. It's tricky because the more you worry about breathing normally, the more you tense up and the more difficult it becomes.

[gigithecat]

Happens to me with anxiety. I read somewhere that when it happens it’s because we keep breathing in but don’t fully exhale. Since then when I feel like this I force some deep exhales and it helps me.

[IroningThrone]

Would also blame long Covid. I really struggled with it right after and still do if I doo too much.

[Ihaventgottimeforthis]

Adding my voice to the post-covid crowd.
I do a lot of rowing and running, have struggled with my breathing since covid in March.
As a friend with similar symptoms described it to me, feels like I am wearing a sports bra that is way too tight.
I'm focusing on good breathing techniques whilst exercising and hope I grow out of it soon...

[Orangello]

I get that when stressed, I start hyperventilating and it really feels like your lungs are too small and you can't fully use them, right? Once I had it so bad my doc also suspected blood clot but had all the tests and just basically needed to calm down.
Hyperventilating doesn't mean you're panting like it's often shown in movies - breathing more deeply and in different pattern will also do it.
Try those exercises and see if they help:
myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=ut2508

[DrinkFeckArseBrick]

I get this when I'm anxious - fast shallow breaths instead of slow deep ones. If I make myself drop my shoulders, relax my muscles and breathe in really slowly so my belly lifts up then it helps

[kingsleysbootlicker]

It sounds like 'air hunger' and can be a sign of low B12

[ellieboolou]

@Blackopal

Had this with severe anemia.

This! I was hospitalised for it so please see your GP to arrange a blood test to rule it out.

[Mardyface]

Yes to GP but in the meantime try taking some time to do some meditative deep breathing / belly breathing just because it will make you feel better. If you can't that's info in itself.

[Weefreetiffany]

Do you mean you tend to shallow breath or you physically can’t belly breathe?

Go to your doctor, chest X-ray, blood test for anemia, etc but if they don’t find a cause, go to an osteopath. It could be something postural (tight muscles through groin and front of legs from running for example) that is easily corrected.

[katkit]

Sounds like anxiety. Can be self perpetuating when you’re thinking about breathing, too.

[LimpBiskit]

Have you had covid? This was a symptom I've had for several months.