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Can my breathing difficulty be due to a herniated disc?

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Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I think that I have a pinched nerve or herniated disc in my back, right next to my left shoulder blade. It makes it hard for me to breathe. Two days ago, my face, hands, and feet became numb, and my eyes started twitching while driving. When I breathed out, it was wheezy.

When I inhaled, I had a cough. It hurts me a lot. Nothing came out when I coughed. I am worried about my current health condition.

Please advise.
Answered by Dr. Sugreev Singh

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sugreev Singh is an experienced General Surgeon with expertise in Internal Medicine and General Medicine. He is skilled in performing a wide range of surgical procedures and managing complex medical conditions with a holistic approach. Known for his clinical precision and compassionate care, Dr. Singh is dedicated to delivering effective, patient-centered treatment to promote long-term health and recovery.

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Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

All the nerves in the body originate from the brain, and they go all over the body through the spinal cord. You have mentioned the presence of a herniated disc and a pinched nerve in the shoulder. When this happens, nerve pathways below the herniated site get disturbed. So the nerve supply to the lower body and hands gets disturbed at certain points, as well as to the lungs. It depends on the severity of the herniated disc.

You need to do an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to know the exact level of compression due to a herniated disc. Then the doctor can start giving treatment accordingly. In some cases, surgical treatment is required to fix the disc presenting with pins. You are facing these symptoms due to it, or you can have an acute respiratory tract infection along with it. I suggest you consult a neurologist to do tests and further treatment.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Sneha Kannan
Published At August 31, 2020
Reviewed At March 3, 2026

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sugreev Singh is an experienced General Surgeon with expertise in Internal Medicine and General Medicine. He is skilled in performing a wide range of surgical procedures and managing complex medical conditions with a holistic approach. Known for his clinical precision and compassionate care, Dr. Singh is dedicated to delivering effective, patient-centered treatment to promote long-term health and recovery.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sneha Kannan is a skilled Dental Surgeon with expertise in providing general dental care, including scaling, fillings, and preventive treatments. She does oral surgery procedures such as extractions and minor surgical interventions. She does procedures in restorative dentistry, including crowns, bridges, and dentures. She is an expert in doing endodontic treatments such as root canal therapy. She is well-versed in doing procedures in cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening and smile correction. She can provide pediatric dental care for children’s oral health and preventive treatments. She promotes oral hygiene awareness and preventive dental practices.  

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sugreev Singh
Dr. Sugreev Singh

Internal Medicine

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sugreev Singh is an experienced General Surgeon with expertise in Internal Medicine and General Medicine. He is skilled in performing a wide range of surgical procedures and managing complex medical conditions with a holistic approach. Known for his clinical precision and compassionate care, Dr. Singh is dedicated to delivering effective, patient-centered treatment to promote long-term health and recovery.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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