Question 1

how to know difference between shortness of breath due to anxiety and shortness of breath due to something more serious? will oxygen be low when your short of breath due to something serious?

Accepted Answer

: Blood oxygen level (e.g. by a pulse oximeter, if you have one) would always be normal in shortness of breath due to anxiety.

Question 2

shortness of breath w/normal oxygen saturation? my oxy sat is usually 98 but i've been experiencing shortness of breath, especially when lying flat??

Accepted Answer

Short of breath : Hard to tell. Need to see a doc and get labs, chest xray and an exam. Young for CHF. That's  where one would start.

Question 3

if someone had pulmonary hypertension and shortness of breath at rest, would you expect a fast hr and low oxygen sats? or can they be normal ?

Accepted Answer

Pulm htn: Pulm HTN results most commonly from a primary lung disease, such as emphysema, vasculitis, fibrosis from scleroderma or sarcoidosis or chronic exposures to noxious substances, and these diseases typically impair oxygen uptake by the lung. HR rises. Also, pulm htn restricts blood flow thru the pulm bed, so less blood per minute reaches the left heart chambers. The LV compensates by raising HR.

Question 4

shortness of breath 5 days, chest xray normal ddimer negative feels as though someone is sat on my chest oxygen sats 100 cannot sleep because of it?

Accepted Answer

Some possibilities: If I was seeing you as a patient with that story, I would be running an EKG, checking your blood counts (low blood counts can cause shortness of breath), and taking you for a walk while measuring your oxygen sats (as many heart and lung conditions can present as a significant lowering of this number with exercise).  Anxiety can cause SOB and could keep you awake, but shouldn't wake you from sleep.

Question 5

chest tightness and some shortness of breath, no heart problems found, doc said slightly hyperinflated lungs with 100% o2 sat is this bad?

Accepted Answer

Good: That just means your lungs are holding plenty of air and your body is getting the oxygen that it needs. Follow your doctor's recommendations. If your symptoms persist, other causes may be investigated.

Question 6

can you have shortness of breath with an oxygen level of 95 or greater?

Accepted Answer

Yes: There are many conditions, e.g. Heart disease and anemia, that can cause shortness of breath without significant drop in oxygen saturation.

Question 7

i have had fluctuating oxygen levels for the last week and shortness of breath. it goes from 98-92. is this normal and what could it be>?

Accepted Answer

Shortness of breath: For specific diagnosis please consult a doctor licensed in the US.  If breathing troubles please get to the emergency room/doctor as soon as possible for a re-review.

Here is some general advice re possible causes of breathing problems as an idea of what might be going on:
http://patient.info/blogs/sarah-says/2016/06/breathing-problems-common-causes-to-know

Question 8

if you have men2a what reasons could cause shortness of breath / low oxygen levels ?

Accepted Answer

Many issues,: anemia, heart or lung problems, infection, to name a few. An exam and testing with your doctor is the most logical way to answers.

Question 9

med student with shortness of breath and yawning. could i test myself for low o2?

Accepted Answer

Yes: A simple pulse oxymeter will be able to check your oxygen saturation instantly.  I would also make sure that as a medical student your are getting enough sleep (if that is possible that is!) and that you are not anemic.

Question 10

my blood oxygen level almost 100 % but i have shortness of breath 17/min ...what can help me breath better?

Accepted Answer

Stop worrying?: Bassem, clearly you are getting more than enough oxygen and 17 brpm is hardly elevated.  If you are anxious about something, talk to someone.  If your nose feels clogged you can use a saline spray.  If you find yourself breathing VERY rapidly it can even make you feel more short of breath, so breathe in a brown paper bag for a few mins.  If you are in pain or have a cough or fever, see a clinic.

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Doctor answers about:

O2 sat short of breath

A member asked:

How to know difference between shortness of breath due to anxiety and shortness of breath due to something more serious? will oxygen be low when your short of breath due to something serious?

A member asked:

Shortness of breath w/normal oxygen saturation? my oxy sat is usually 98 but i've been experiencing shortness of breath, especially when lying flat??

A member asked:

If someone had pulmonary hypertension and shortness of breath at rest, would you expect a fast hr and low oxygen sats? or can they be normal ?

A member asked:

Shortness of breath 5 days, chest xray normal ddimer negative feels as though someone is sat on my chest oxygen sats 100 cannot sleep because of it?

A member asked:

Chest tightness and some shortness of breath, no heart problems found, doc said slightly hyperinflated lungs with 100% o2 sat is this bad?

A member asked:

Can you have shortness of breath with an oxygen level of 95 or greater?

A member asked:

I have had fluctuating oxygen levels for the last week and shortness of breath. it goes from 98-92. is this normal and what could it be>?

A member asked:

If you have men2a what reasons could cause shortness of breath / low oxygen levels ?

A member asked:

Med student with shortness of breath and yawning. could i test myself for low o2?

A member asked:

My blood oxygen level almost 100 % but i have shortness of breath 17/min ...what can help me breath better?

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