Migraine Shortness Of Breath Fatigue

When Should I See A Doctor

If shortness of breath keeps you from doing your regular daily activities, thatâs reason enough to call the doctor. But definitely schedule an appointment if you have trouble breathing along with any of these symptoms:

• Shortness of breath when youâre resting or lying down
• Fever, chills, night sweats

Is Surprising Or Sudden Weight Gain Serious

Dramatic, unexplained changes in weight can be a sign of a serious health problem. For example, weight loss can be a sign of cancer, while weight gain may be a warning sign of heart failure or thyroid issues. If you experience new bloating or distension in your midsection that is persistent, it could be a sign of ovarian cancer, says Dr. Baechler. Ovarian cancer is uncommon, yet bloating is often one of the first symptoms.

If you have weight gain along with swelling in both of your legs and shortness of breath when you lie flat, you could be showing signs of heart failure, says Ashley Simmons, MD, medical director of the University of Kansas Hospital’s Adelaide C. Ward Women’s Heart Health Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Rapid weight gain, swelling, and retention of fluid can occur when your heart doesnt pump fluid as efficiently as it should.

Theres Definitely Hope For Some Breathing Troubles

If youre short of breath for any of those reasons, easy relief is possible. Its safe, cheap, and almost fun to experiment with self-massage for trigger points. Results are hardly guaranteed, but its a sensible thing to try.

Changing bad habits is always tricky, but its a more likely path to relief, and increasing your respiratory strength is possible with a little oomph456 and its a worthwhile fitness goal in any case.

Anxiety is the toughest problem to beat, but anyone can benefit from trying.

These three issues may all get tangled up, each one complicating the others, but progress with one is also likely to help the others. Some simple and interesting ideas for self-treatment are suggested in this short article, plus links to much more information for those who want to delve.

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Persistent Aura Without Infarction

One in four people with migraines can have aura. But sometimes it lingers for more than a week after an attack. Rarely, you can have aura and symptoms like trouble breathing and numbness for months or even years.

The signs can seem close to those of a stroke, or bleeding in the brain, but without any actual bleeding. Infarction is another word for stroke.

Fatigue During Prodrome And Postdrome

As part of a migraine cycle, I almost always experience extreme fatigue symptoms. It presents itself like an energy-sucking beast that just wont let go. It seems as if my knuckles are dragging on the floor and the total body exhaustion keeps me from anything close to normal functioning. I often feel the effects of fatigue in the prodrome and postdrome phases of an attack. I guess I dont notice it as much during the aura or pain phase of an attack because I am preoccupied with other aspects of the event. During an attack, it is hard for me to stay focused on more than one main thing at a time, and most of my concentration gets thrown into my self-care routine and getting the medication I need to help ease the attack.

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When Should You Get Treatment For A Covid Long Haul Headache

The CDC recommends that people who are experiencing a COVID long haul headache should seek treatment if their symptoms persist for more than ten days. While the cause of these headaches is not yet known, they may be related to the virus itself or other factors such as stress or lack of sleep. Some common symptoms of a COVID long-haul headache include throbbing pain, pressure in the temples, and sensitivity to light and sound.

Treatment options for COVID long haul headache vary depending on the individuals symptoms and preferences but may include over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, prescription medications, lifestyle changes such as getting more exercise or improving sleep hygiene, or complementary therapies such as acupuncture or massage.

What Are Heart Palpitations

Most of the time you wont notice your heartbeat, but if you suddenly become aware of it, this may concern you or come as a surprise. The feeling of being aware of your heart beating is described as a palpitation.

Palpitations can range from simply being aware of your hearts activity to the sensation of it beating faster and harder than usual. It can sometimes feel like your heart is missing beats or you have a heart flutter.

Changes to your heartbeat are usually not serious. But always see your doctor if you have palpitations or feel you have an irregular heart beat.

Dial triple zero if you have heart palpitations along with these symptoms:

• severe shortness of breath

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Shortness Of Breath And Fatigue Are Symptoms Of

Asthma: Asthma is inflammation and constriction of the bronchial tubes. Attacks can be triggered by airborne allergens, stress, cold air, air pollutants, acid reflux, and more. Shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness are common symptoms. The restriction of air flow can lead to fatigue.

Obesity: Obesity is a condition in which you have accumulated enough excess body fat to cause health problems. Shortness of breath and fatigue are common symptoms of obesity and the condition can lead to other life threatening health problems such as sleep apnea, heart problems, and stroke.

Weight Gain / Lack of Exercise: Sometimes the simplest explanation is the correct explanation. You dont have to be obese to feel the effects of weight gain and general lack of exercise.

Asbestos-Related Diseases:Asbestos exposure can affect the entire body but most often causes conditions that affect the lungs. Among these are asbestosis which is scaring of the lungs, and mesothelioma which is cancer of the lining of the lungs. Both can take decades to manifest symptoms. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, and pain.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder:Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that involves chronic anxiety and excessive worrying for no known reason. GAD can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle tension, irritability, difficulty swallowing, hot flashes, trembling and more.

Unexpected Irregular Vaginal Bleeding

Irregular bleeding, especially if its accompanied by pain during sex, could signal a serious condition like cervical cancer or uterine cancer. If your menstrual period becomes unusually heavy or irregular, occurs more often than every three weeks, or you have spotting between periods, get these symptoms checked out.

Discuss any post-menopausal spotting with your doctor. Even a little bit of bleeding after menopause is abnormal, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Some of the common causes are polyps and either atrophy or thickening of the endometrium the lining of your uterus.

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When To See Your Doctor

If your shortness of breath is accompanied by fever, chest pain, tightness in the throat, and wheezing, then you could be experiencing angina or a heart attack. These combinations of symptoms require immediate attention.

In general, if you are experiencing shortness of breath for no obvious reason like exercise, or it is on-going and frequent, speak with your doctor right away. Uncovering and treating the underlying cause will be the only way to correct the shortness of breath.

In This Article

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What Are The Symptoms Of Headaches In Children

Symptoms vary depending on the type of headache your child has:

Acute headaches

Acute headache symptoms happen suddenly and dont last very long. Symptoms include:

• Sharp, throbbing pain.
• Pain in their head, neck or face.

Acute recurrent headaches or migraines

This type of headache lasts from one to two hours and usually happens two to four times a month.

• Pain that affects the front of their head, or both sides.
• Pale skin color .
• Upset stomach, nausea and vomiting.
• Sensitivity to light, noise or smells.
• Desire to sleep more than usual.

Chronic nonprogressive headaches or tension headaches

These are daily or frequent headaches or headaches that come and go over a prolonged period of time without causing neurological symptoms. If it occurs more than 15 days/month along with frequent school absences and medication overuse, see a headache specialist. Symptoms include:

• An ache or pressure in a band across their forehead.

Chronic progressive headaches

• Gradual increase in how often their headaches happen.
• Gradual increase in how severe their headaches are.

When chronic progressive headaches occur along with other neurological symptoms , they can be the sign of such brain conditions as an abnormal build-up of fluid in their brain , inflammation of their brain, tumor or other conditions.

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Symptoms Of Anxiety And Shortness Of Breath

Anxiety is your bodys natural fear response. This is known as the the fight-or-flight response. Your body reacts in physical and mental ways to prepare you to either fight or run from the situation.

Shortness of breath is one of those responses. You may feel like you cant catch your breath, tightness in your chest, or like youre suffocating or hungry for air.

Studies have shown a strong association between anxiety and respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath.

Other symptoms that can occur during this response and as a result of anxiety include:

What Medical Conditions Cause Fatigue

Hundreds of conditions and disorders lead to fatigue. Some of the most common causes of fatigue include:

• Disease and infection: Cancer, kidney disease and multiple sclerosis are just a few diseases that cause fatigue. Fatigue can also be a sign of infections such as mononucleosis, HIV and flu.
• Mental health conditions: Fatigue from depression or anxiety may make it difficult or impossible to perform daily activities.
• Autoimmune disorders: Fatigue is a symptom of many autoimmune diseases, including diabetes, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Hormonal imbalances: Problems with your endocrine system can lead to exhaustion. Hypothyroidism is a common cause of fatigue.
• Heart and lung problems: Fatigue is a common symptom of cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , emphysema and congestive heart failure.
• Deficiencies:Anemia and other vitamin deficiencies are often responsible for fatigue. Dehydration can cause fatigue because the body needs plenty of fluids to function.
• Weight problems and eating disorders:Anorexia, bulimia, obesity or being underweight can lead to fatigue and a range of other symptoms.

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Seek Medical Help For Heart Palpitations That Last 15 Minutes

An intermittent extra heartbeat here or there isnt something that should concern you. But if you have heart palpitations that last longer than 15 minutes especially if theyre accompanied by shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, or loss of consciousness you should be checked out, Simmons says. These symptoms could indicate a heart condition called atrial fibrillation.

In atrial fibrillation, the top chambers of the heart beat more quickly than the lower chambers. When prolonged, this can result in blood clots that can move to other parts of the body and may lead to stroke or heart failure over time.

Food Allergies Food Intolerance And Fatigue

Symptoms: Fatigue, sleepiness, continued exhaustion

Although food is supposed to give you energy, medical research suggests that hidden food intolerances or allergies can do the opposite. In fact, fatigue may be an early warning sign of food intolerance or food allergy. Celiac disease, which happens when you cant digest gluten, may also cause fatigue.

Ask your doctor about the elimination diet. This is a diet in which you cut out certain foods linked to a variety of symptoms, including sleepiness within 10 to 30 minutes of eating them, for a certain period of time to see if that makes a difference. You can also talk to your doctor about a food allergy test or invest in a home test such as ALCAT which may help you identify the offending foods.

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Diffuse Interstitial Lung Disease

This is a group of disorders affecting the lungs, characterized by inflammation in the deep tissues of the lungs. The primary symptom is shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include dry cough, fatigue, muscle pain, fingernail clubbing, joint pain and bluish lips, nails and skin, according to MedlinePlus. There is no specific treatment, but immunosuppressant drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed.

Preventative Medication And Therapies

If you experience frequent migraines, your GP might discuss preventative medication options with you.

It is important to note that preventatives for migraines are not pain medication, but help to reduce the number of migraines. They take time to work, so the minimum time period required may be three to six months. Contact your GP or specialist for further information. All of these treatments have their advantages and disadvantages and some of the medications might not be suitable for everybody.

You might find that this medication reduces the frequency and severity of your attacks but does not stop them completely. You will need to continue your other migraine treatments when you experience an attack.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends that GPs and specialists should consider the following drugs and therapies if they think you might benefit from preventative treatment:

Beta blocking drugs

These drugs are traditionally used to treat angina and high blood pressure. It has been found that certain beta-blockers prevent migraine attacks. Beta-blockers are unsuitable for people with certain conditions.

Topiramate

This drug is typically prescribed for the treatment of epilepsy but has also been found to help reduce the frequency of migraines. Again, it is not suitable for everyone. In particular, women who are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant should be advised of the associated side effects.

Amitriptyline

Acupuncture

Botulinum toxin type A

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When To Phone A Doctor

You should phone your GP immediately if you have sudden unexpected shortness of breath, as there may be a problem with your airways or heart.

Your GP will assess you over the phone, and may either visit you at home or admit you to hospital. If your shortness of breath is mild or the result of anxiety, you may be asked to come to the surgery rather than a home visit.

If youve struggled with your breathing for a while, dont ignore it. See your GP as its likely you have a long-term condition, such as obesity, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , which needs to be managed properly.

Your doctor may ask you some questions, such as:

• Did the breathlessness come on suddenly or gradually?
• Did anything trigger it, such as exercise?
• How bad is it? Does it only happen when youve been active, or when youre not doing anything?
• Is there any pain when you breathe?
• Do you have a cough?
• Do certain positions make it worse for example, are you unable to lie down?

Feeling like you cant get enough air can be terrifying, but doctors are well trained in managing this. You may be given extra oxygen to breathe if this is needed.

What Causes Acute Dyspnea Or Shortness Of Breath

Factors that may cause acute shortness of breath include:

• Allergies: People often feel short of breath during an allergic reaction.
• Anxiety: Anxiety can cause hyperventilation .
• Choking: A blockage in your throat can make it difficult for air to move in and out of your lungs. Inhaling food or an object into your lungs also blocks airflow.
• Pulmonary embolism: This happens when you have a blood clot in your lungs. This condition is a medical emergency.
• Heart attack: A blockage that stops blood flow to the heart can cause frightening breathlessness. If you notice this symptom along with other heart attack symptoms, call 911.
• Infection: An infection like bronchitis or pneumonia may produce mucous that blocks airflow to parts of the lungs. This can interfere with oxygen diffusion to the blood.
• Injury: A broken rib can make breathing painful and difficult. Bleeding and anemia can lower the number of red blood cells, which lessens the amount of oxygen carried in the blood.
• Medication: Certain medicines can cause a tight feeling in the chest. Statins and beta blockers given for hypertension in asthmatic individuals may cause this symptom.
• Extreme temperatures. Being very hot or very cold can make you feel like you are having trouble breathing.

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Shortness Of Breath Vs Normal Breathing

Shortness of breath occurs when your bodys ability to breathe doesnt match the brains orders to breathe. Ordinarily, your airway, lungs, breathing muscles, heart, and blood vessels work together with the brain to maintain sufficient oxygen levels in the body.

Sometimes theres an imbalance between the brains signals to breathe and the ability to breathe. The brain orders the breathing muscles to work harder, and you feel shortness of breath.

In a healthy person, shortness of breath can be caused by:

• Very strenuous exercise
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Allergic reaction

If you have unexplained shortness of breath, especially if it comes on suddenly and is severe, see a doctor as soon as possible. Breathlessness may be more serious if its accompanied by:

• Chest pain or pressure

Shortness Of Breath Or Chest Pain After Covid

Shortness of Breath

You want to consult a doctor if any of your symptoms are severe, especially shortness of breath, Post says. She recommends using a commercially available O2 saturation monitor.

Shortness of breath by itself is not always a sign of a serious problem, but if you have that symptom along with low O2 , that is a reason to be concerned. Sometimes people are short of breath with exertion after COVID-19 because they have been less active for a long time and need to gradually build their fitness level back up.

COVID-19 Chest Pain

What about lingering chest pain, another common post-COVID complaint? Chest pain may be nothing serious, but if you are having severe chest pain, get help, especially if it is persistent or if you are also having nausea, shortness of breath or lightheadedness: These could be symptoms of a heart attack.

If you have chest pain when you inhale, you might have lung inflammation. Sudden, severe chest pain could be a blood clot in the lung , Post says.

Family doctor or cardiologist?

If your symptoms are not severe but you want to be checked out, Post says a cardiologist doesnt need to be your first stop if youve never had heart problems before and are not at risk. For nonemergency post-COVID-19 symptoms, your primary care practitioner can advise you, she says.

Heart Failure and COVID-19

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