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Shortness of breath, excessive yawn
Hi doctors. Since yesterday, I've been feeling like I can't take deep breaths, even while standing and doing basic tasks like showering. I have been diagnosed with allergy, PCOD, GERD, migraines and was also given anxiety medications once. I try to take deep breaths and end up yawning, or getting incomplete yawns. Day before yesterday, at night, I had a stressful event with my family, which ended in me crying for an hour or so. Please advise on how to feel better, as this is really bothering me. All my focus is now on trying to take a full breath, instead of my other tasks.
Answers (20)
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kindly do connect and consult with me for better treatment plan and advice on your case via PRACTO app
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Consult a doctor. ..if u have stress. U need counselling I can help
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Continue medicines as advised
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Hello. Please be reassured that the sensation of being unable to take a deep breath, combined with frequent, incomplete yawning, is a very well-recognized clinical phenomenon known as sighing dyspnea. This typically occurs as a somatic manifestation of severe emotional stress or hyperventilation, rather than any underlying heart or lung pathology. When you experience intense stress—such as your recent family event—your nervous system shifts into a state of hyper-awareness, causing you to unconsciously alter your breathing pattern. This creates an obsession with your respiratory cycle, where focusing entirely on forcing a "perfect" breath paradoxically makes your chest feel tighter. Additionally, your history of GERD can cause subtle esophageal irritation that worsens this tight chest sensation under stress.
Next Steps
Practical Techniques to Reset Your Breathing:
Shift Your Focus: The more you intentionally force a deep breath, the more incomplete yawns you will experience. Try to consciously direct your attention away from your breathing and engage in a distracting physical or mental task.
Adopt Box Breathing: Practice a slow, controlled breathing cycle to reset your brain's respiratory center. Inhale gently through your nose for 4 seconds, hold gently for 4 seconds, exhale slowly through your mouth for 4 seconds, and pause for 4 seconds.
Manage Gastric Reflux: Take your prescribed GERD or antacid medication on time, as reducing stomach acidity directly helps alleviate stress-induced chest tightness.
Health Tips
When to Seek Immediate Care: While your current symptoms map perfectly to acute stress and hyperventilation, you should seek immediate emergency medical evaluation if you develop sharp chest pain radiating to your arms or jaw, a rapid or fluttering heartbeat, severe wheezing, or a bluish tint on your lips or fingernails. For a personalized, step-by-step guidance plan to break this anxiety loop, structured prescription adjustments, or clear medical reassurance, you can safely book a consultation via my profile or reach out directly on WhatsApp at: six three six nine four six zero five seven seven.
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You have anxiety Neurosis. Take care.
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Hello! I'm sorry you're experiencing this. Shortness of breath and difficulty taking a satisfying deep breath can have several causes, including anxiety after a stressful event, allergy/asthma, GERD, or less commonly heart or lung conditions. Since you're feeling breathless even during basic activities, I'd like to assess you in detail by asking a few important questions and reviewing your symptoms to determine whether this can be managed at home or needs urgent evaluation.
Next Steps
Please connect with me for a teleconsultation so I can guide you step by step and advise the appropriate treatment and any tests if required.
Health Tips
If you develop severe breathlessness, chest pain, bluish lips, or your symptoms rapidly worsen, please visit the nearest emergency department immediately.
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Its already put in early days
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You need an in clinic assessment. You can visit my clinic.
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Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Anxiety, consult with psychiatrist and treatment depends on evaluation .
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Please consult a physician physically for clinical examination and excluding any physical problem, before diagnosing it as anxiety related.
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Proper evaluation and personalised advice are needed for your concern. A detailed consultation would be best to provide accurate guidance.
Feel free to consult me for further assistance.
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This is due your anxiety related problem which was triggered by with family problem
Consult your psychiatrist again and seek advise along with your parents
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From your description, this sounds most consistent with anxiety-related hyperventilation, especially as it started immediately after a stressful emotional event. The feeling of not being able to take a satisfying deep breath or needing to yawn repeatedly is a common symptom of anxiety and can be very distressing, but it is usually not dangerous.
Try to focus on slow, relaxed breathing rather than repeatedly attempting deep breaths, as forcing them can make the sensation worse. If your symptoms persist, worsen, or are associated with chest pain, fainting, wheezing, or low oxygen levels, please seek medical evaluation promptly.
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Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Jhansi
Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake more
Green leafy vegetables more
Fiber meal
Do connect and consult
Will help you
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Mr. Mohd Amaan Afaque
General Practitioner
1 yrs exp
Lucknow
The "air hunger" feeling starting after emotional stress, with incomplete yawns and normal exertion tolerance, points to anxiety-related breathing rather than a lung or heart problem, especially given your history. It's real and uncomfortable but usually not dangerous. Try slow breathing exercises (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 6); avoid checking your breathing repeatedly as it worsens focus on it. Book a private consult so we can address this properly alongside your anxiety history.
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Dr. Kasina Abhishek
General Physician
2 yrs exp
Bhimavaram
You are having generalised anxiety disorder and panic attacks
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