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Health Description
I’ve been experiencing episodes of shortness of breath for the past few days. It feels like I’m unable to take a fully satisfying or deep breath, but there is no chest pain, no tightness, and no other major symptoms. Sometimes I end up yawning to try to breathe deeper.
I also want to mention that I’ve had weight gain over the past 2–3 years, and I’m not sure if it may be related.
Along with this, I’ve been experiencing anxiety, which sometimes makes the breathing discomfort feel more noticeable.
Could you please advise what tests or evaluations I should undergo to understand the cause of these symptoms?
Answers (33)
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Can help you with the next course of action and treatment plan. Kindly consult via whatsapp at nine zero two nine six zero zero four seven zero.
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Get blood tests done and have a follow up
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The condition is related to your weight gain, because lungs cannot expand fully due to fat deposition in the abdomen.
Start exercising, reduce weight.
Also yawning to take deep breath is also suggestive that functional capacity of the lungs is reduced.
Book an online appointment to discuss further.
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Main cause of this is your anxiety and I doubt if you have smoking history then also considering a major cause of shortness of breath, anxiety (if you quit smoking before sometimes),.dont worry it's treatable fully.
Next Steps
do some deep breath excercise like breath in /out ,for 2 minute .
Health Tips
do regular excercise, meditation, and quit smoking if you do .
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It is manageable as it is mostly due to anxiety...
Dont worry...
Kindly consult me on nine nine 34 eight three one 606
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Your symptoms could be due to functional breathlessness/anxiety related psychogenic hyperventilation, rather than any specific pulmonary disorders.It may have compounded by weight.Get your blood tests including thyroid function tests,chest x-ray, ECG and pulmonary function tests.You can try breathing exercises to ease the breathing issues
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From your description, this looks more like functional breathlessness related to anxiety and recent weight gain rather than a heart or lung problem. The feeling of not getting a full breath, needing to yawn, and the symptoms becoming more noticeable when you are anxious are very commonly seen in stress-related breathing patterns. The absence of chest pain, tightness, cough, or exertional worsening is reassuring.
Next Steps
To be sure, you can get a few basic tests done: CBC, thyroid profile, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, along with a chest X-ray and ECG. These will help rule out anemia, thyroid issues, vitamin deficiencies, or any heart/lung involvement. If needed, a spirometry test can be done to assess your lung function.
Health Tips
For now, try slow deep-breathing exercises, avoid shallow rapid breaths, and stay physically active. Good sleep, reducing caffeine, and managing stress will also help. If anxiety is significant or persistent, consider a consultation for further support or short-term treatment. Your symptoms are common and usually improve well with simple measures.
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Most Likely Cause of Symptoms
Based on your description —
• Difficulty getting a “deep” satisfying breath
• Yawning to breathe deeper
• No chest pain, no tightness
• Anxiety present
• Started recently
• Associated with weight gain
This pattern is very typical of “Functional Breathing Difficulty”, also called:
Anxiety-related shortness of breath / Hyperventilation syndrome / Air hunger
It is not dangerous and not related to lung disease in most young adults.
Extra weight and poor posture can also contribute.
Why it happens
• Anxiety makes your breathing shallow and fast
• Your brain “feels” like it’s not getting enough air
• You try to take a deep breath → sometimes it doesn’t feel satisfying
• This makes you more anxious → breathing becomes harder
This is a feedback loop, not a lung or heart problem.
But we still check the basics to be safe.
Recommended Tests (Simple & Essential)
These tests help rule out any medical cause:
1. CBC (Complete Blood Count)
To check for anemia, which is a common cause in young women.
2. Thyroid Profile (TSH, Free T3, Free T4)
Thyroid imbalance can cause:
• Breathlessness
• Anxiety
• Weight gain
3. Vitamin Levels
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin B12
Deficiency in both is very common and causes fatigue + breathlessness sensation.
4. Fasting Blood Sugar / HbA1c
Helpful because weight gain + anxiety can relate to insulin fluctuations.
Next Steps
Optional Tests (If symptoms persist > 2–3 weeks):
5. ECG
To rule out rhythm issues (though very unlikely at your age).
6. Chest X-ray
Only if cough, fever, wheezing, or lung symptoms are present.
7. Spirometry (lung function test)
Useful if:
• You have asthma history
• Allergies
• Wheezing
• Breathlessness worse at night
Most young women with your symptoms have normal spirometry.
Health Tips
Your breathing issue is most likely due to anxiety and shallow breathing, not lung disease. Weight gain and posture add to it. We’ll check CBC, thyroid, vitamin levels, and maybe ECG/spirometry if needed. Most young adults with these symptoms have normal tests and improve with breathing exercises and anxiety control
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You need proper examination by a physician
Consult a physician in person
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Dnt worry. I dnt think it's related to any organic reasons. May be just over stressed. kindly consult with me on 94 two six 86 seven eight 96.
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If you want to discuss your problems, pls text me on whatsapp on seven two seven eight nine two 7six three eight....
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Check thyroid hb
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Next Steps
consult
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What you’re feeling can happen from a few things — anxiety, mild breathing pattern issues, or sometimes even weight-related changes or sleep-related breathing (like snoring/OSA).
To understand this better, I’ll just need your height and weight (for BMI) and whether you snore or feel tired after waking up. That will help me guide you properly on what tests you actually need.
Next Steps
Please book a quick consult so we can go over these details and figure this out together.
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Tab derry 150 मग bd
Tab prednisone 40 mg
Od for 3 day.....
If not recovered from this
Investigation
Cbc,
CRP, pft, ईसीजी, chest x rY
Also
Opinion of ent specialist
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What is your bmi at present,do you snore during sleep is thyroid tests being done
Need evaluation can contact for further evaluation and management
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Respiratory rate
Heart rate & BP
Oxygen saturation
Chest auscultation
CBC
TSH, T3, T4
Fasting blood sugar / HbA1c
ECG
Chest X-ray
Spirometry
Next Steps
Health Tips
If any of above tests abnormal consultant is needed
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Monitor and investigate for Thyroid dysfunction and blood pressure.
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Dr. Tejasree
Consult Now
Ayurvedic Endocrinologist & Internal Medicine Specialist
4 yrs exp
Tirupati
The breathing difficulty you described, especially without chest pain, wheezing, or exertional symptoms, is commonly seen in anxiety-related breathing patterns. Weight gain may contribute to breath awareness but is unlikely to be the primary cause.
To rule out routine medical causes, the following tests are advisable:
• Clinical examination with vitals and oxygen saturation
• Chest X-ray
• ECG
• CBC, thyroid profile, vitamin D
• Spirometry if symptoms persist
If these are normal, the symptoms are usually functional or anxiety related. Regular breathing exercises and stress management are helpful. Please seek urgent care if symptoms worsen or are associated with chest pain or marked dizziziness
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It probably due to anxiety related disorder, although it needs more investigation. Please send CBC, thyroid function test, lft. I want to know about your sleep, it seems to be decreased sleep quality and duration.
Next Steps
please contact me with reports.
Health Tips
don't take random medicine, you need proper evaluation.
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Do thyroid profile, CBC, ECG and review with reports
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Assessment of t3t4tsh mg crp cbc esr advisable for weight gain.
Consult superspecialist like pulmonologist as uneed pft, hrct chest
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Please share detailed medical history of your symptoms, I.e. duration, severity, aggravating and relieving factors.
Get Haemoglobin, thyroid profile, complete blood count, X ray chest done and share results. Then I can help you to heal.
Do some deep breathing, 2 to 3 times daily, steam inhalation before sleeping.
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Dr. Digvijay Vashistha
General Physician
1 yrs exp
Faridabad
If you need guidance, I’m here—feel free to book your consultation.
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Dr. Shivam Mishra
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Mumbai
Hello,
The pattern you’re describing needing to yawn for a “deep breath,” feeling unable to get a satisfying inhalation, symptoms fluctuating, no chest pain, no tightness, normal activity tolerance very commonly points toward functional breathing issues rather than a lung or heart disease.
Three things in your description stand out:
1. Anxiety-linked breathlessness
When anxiety is present, the breathing pattern becomes shallow and rapid without you realizing it.
This leads to a feeling of “air hunger,” which forces you to yawn to compensate.
2. Weight gain over 2–3 years
Even moderate weight gain pushes the diaphragm upward and reduces the lung’s expansion capacity, especially when lying down or during stress.
This can make you feel short of breath even if the lungs are structurally normal.
3. No red-flag symptoms
You have no chest pain, no exertional limitation, no cough, no wheeze, no fever, which reduces the likelihood of a serious physical cause.
But the correct approach is to rule out the basics once, so you don’t continue worrying about something that isn’t there.
Recommended initial evaluation
These are simple, non-stressful tests:
1. Basic clinical examination
2. CBC + Thyroid profile (TSH) — thyroid imbalance can amplify anxiety and breathlessness
3. Vitamin D + B12 (deficiency can increase fatigue and breathlessness perception)
4. Chest X-ray — just to rule out structural issues
5. ECG — to rule out hidden rhythm abnormalities
6. Spirometry (lung function test) optional but useful if symptoms persist
Most people with your symptom pattern turn out to have normal reports, and then we manage the breathing pattern and anxiety component properly.
Before moving ahead with any treatment
I need to understand:
When exactly does this breathlessness peak? Morning/evening?
Any recent stress event?
Do you mouth-breathe or breathe through the nose?
Any acidity or bloating (these can mimic breathlessness)?
Any sleep issues?
Once these are clear, I can guide you precisely without over-investigating or overtreating.
If you want personalised guidance, you can message me privately on
w.h.a.t.s.a.p.p – nine three two six zero two zero five three six
so I can assess your symptoms thoroughly and advise the right plan.
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Dr. Jyoti Singh
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Meerut
Likely cause: Anxiety-related breathing pattern (functional breathlessness). Very common at 22 yrs, especially with stress + weight gain.
Basic tests:
CBC
Thyroid profile (TSH, T3, T4)
Vitamin D, B12
Chest X-ray (once)
ECG
Spirometry only if symptoms persist
Home care:
Slow deep breathing (4-7-8 method)
Reduce caffeine
Walk daily 20–30 min
Good sleep
Don’t focus on breathing too much
Usually not dangerous and improves with routine + anxiety control.
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Don't neglect... advise you to consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Shaikh Huzaif
General Physician
18 yrs exp
Aurangabad
Please consult
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Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhansi
Avoid fried andnapicy food
Water intake more
Do connect and consult
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