What causes tightness in the chest and irregular breathing?
Patient: I have Dystonia, muscles in my neck, back, shoulder, and hip and involved. I have recently been having pain and tightness in lower ribs. My breathing is irregular and i have a hard time expanding my lungs. i often feel light headed and will see stars. Could this be another simtom of my Dystonia? should i be worried? Doctor: Thanks for your question on HCM.I can understand your situation and problem.Yes, your dystonia can cause breathing difficulty.Breathing consists inspiration and expiration.Both these are done by muscles.Inspiratory muscles expand the rib cage and allows lungs to take air in.In expiration lung recoil and expiratory muscles allow air to breath out from the lungs.So in both these activities, muscles play very important role.Since you are suffering from dystonia, possibility of involvement of muscles of respiration is high.So dystonia is seems to be the cause for your breathing difficulty.Consult your doctor and discuss all these and start appropriate treatment.