How to cure shortness of breath due to pneumonia?
Patient: I was in the hospital with pneumonia for five days at the end of March. After my discharge, I was told it would take a few weeks for me to feel completely better. I am still experiencing a lot of shortness of breath and have had a CT Scan, heart cath and everything comes back fine. My pulmonary doctor says it s because I need to lose weight. I won t argue that fact, but I have been the same weight for at least six years and never had this problem. I have RA and rheumatologist has suggested that it could be related to that, but my pulmonary doctor says, no . I had a PFT and was told that on a scale of 10, my lungs are an 8 , That doesn t make it any easier to breathe. Doctor: Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic. I can understand your concern. In my opinion, you are mostly having post infectious bronchitis. Pneumonia causes inflammatory changes in lungs. Due to these changes, lung function is hampered. Inflammation causes edema and structural changes in lung. This is the main reason for post infectious bronchitis. So better to start inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Since all these drugs are prescribed medicines, you need doctor 's prescription for them. Don't worry, you will be alright. Hope I have solved your query. Wish you good health. Thanks.