What causes difficulty in taking deep breaths and tingling and numbness in fingers?
Patient: Hi, For the past few days now I have been finding it difficult to take deep breaths through my mouth, I also get tightness in my chest from time to time and also tingling and numbness in my fingers. I also have balancing issues from time to time also any feedback will be highly appreciated. Thanks. Doctor: Hello. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern. It is almost impossible for anyone, healthy or not, to constantly take deep breaths. It is one's organism that do not allow to do this, because of the organism balance disturbance that results from hyperventilation. Well, when this becomes worrisome to "Why can I not take deep breaths" an anxiety feeling is what comes after, and can also produce the tingling and numbness. My opinion is that you should try really hard not to give much attention to the deep breaths and/or try thinking about something else, when you capture yourself thinking about deep breaths. As for the loss of equilibrium, more information would be welcome, so I could precisely assess this symptom. Anyway, if it is coming after your briskly switch positions, such as from lying down to briskly stand up, the quick redistribuition of fluids in the organism, can cause dizziness and loss of equilibrium for few seconds - it is called orthostatic hypotension, not harmful, and is triggered by a sudden drop of blood pressure and attributed to the fluid restribuition explained above. It also can come from problems in your inner ear, a small organ responsible for our balance. If you have a history of life with ear infections or ear problems, then I recommens you to consult an ear-nose-throat (ENT) doctor for further evaluation and treatment. I hope I was helpful with my answer. Wish you a good health. Regards. Dr. Meriton