How to manage anxiety-induced breathlessness in teens?

Question

Hello doctor,

My son sometimes feels breathless. I have consulted the doctor. The doctor asked for a chest X-ray and ECG, but both were normal. The doctor said that the reports are fine. Please tell the reason and provide the management.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

There could be multiple reasons for shortness of breath. Usually, lungs or heart problems.

Also, low hemoglobin can cause shortness of breath. Now, firstly, answer this:

After how much exertion does he get shortness of breath?
Does this shortness occur only during a particular time, such as in the morning?
Are there any symptoms other than shortness of breath, such as wheezing or a whistle-like sound during shortness of breath?
How does this shortness of breath begin?
Since when has this been happening?
Does this happen every winter?

In short, provide some more details about shortness of breath, as there are numerous causes for shortness of breath. Also, mention what possibilities were considered by your physician. The common causes of shortness of breath are asthma and heart problems, where an ECG (electrocardiography) can be normal many times, and low hemoglobin.

Since his ECG is normal, the next step is echocardiography. Echo will complete the cardiac evaluation, and we can be assured regarding the cardiac cause. Please provide more information.

Sometimes, shortness of breath can be felt normally if someone is not accustomed to activities. But in this situation, we should rule out heart and lung problems. X-ray is sufficient for the lungs, echocardiography for the heart, and hemoglobin evaluation for anemia.

I hope that this answers your query.

Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

So, it does not look like any problem. Because if any problem had been there, then he should have had shortness of breath daily. So, the likely cause is anxiety and his unaccustomed nature of activities.

He should gradually start and increase his activities. He should also get prescribed tablet Ciplar LA (Propranolol Hydrochloride) 10 mg daily, gradually to be increased to 20 mg. This should be taken if the pulse rate is more than 65 per minute.

I hope that this answers your query.

Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.