What causes airway constriction while swimming?
Patient: On Sept 9, my thyroid and 14 lymph nodes were removed. I have papillary thyroid cancer. I am 54 and have been healthy until this. Yesterday while swimming freestyle I felt airway constriction. I continued swimming and it went away. Today sitting at my desk I had a similar feeling. I was going to call 911 but I calmed down, and the constricted feeling passed. I will talk to the Head and Neck surgeon on call. I called a Lifeline service since I work from home alone. If this happens again I will push a button and send an urgent email for my wife to call 911. I've already typed up the email and only need to push "send". What might be the cause? What should I do if I get this feeling again and start to panic, but before I get any sort of LifeLine service? Thanks! Doctor: Hi,Welcome to health care magic,This airway constriction you described is actually a breathing difficulty during swimming.It could be due to some sort of allergic may be to swimming pool water which is causing narrowing the airway.You should go for pulmonologist check up and treatment.In this episodes, you will require bronchodilators like salbutamol or ipratropium bromide in inhalational form to get immediate relief.You can take metered dose inhaler or rotahaler for easy breathing, your physician or pulmonologist will know about it and prescribe the treatment after complete examination.Regards,