Breathing

25% Normal
10 Comments

I am 37,female and for the last 7 years, I have not been breathing comfortably.
I am generally slim, but my tummy is too big for my proportions. Because of this, I always have to make an effort to hold my tummmy in and maybe this has affected my breathing. I always want to appear slimmer than I am.
Every 30 seconds or so, I have to consiously take in an extra deep breath just to feel that my lungs get enough oxygen.
I went to the G.P when I first noticed this and he just looked at me, used a stethoscope on my chest, and said 'no, you are not short of breath'. But I am!
I had a heart ultrasound scan and that was normal.
I hate this feeling so much but I am so used to it.
I envy all people who don't seem conscious of breathing.
I went to a woman who does breathing exercises but it didn't help.
I can't fight the urge to hold in my tummy but it is making me so uncomfortable.
I also envy bigger women who have bigger tummies than I have, who just 'let it all hang out' and they don't seem to have a problem finding clothes that look good.
I have a major problem with clothes because of this.
Can anyone help?
Thanks.

Voting Results
25% Normal
Based on 44 votes (11 yes)
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Comments ( 10 )
  • Jen118584
    14 years ago

    You may have asthma. I wasn't diganosed until I was about 21 when it started getting really bad. But all of my life I've had to take really deep breaths every minute or so (at times), or make myself yawn to feel like my lungs have filled with air. My docs said I needed to exercise more, but I did exercise a lot as a kid. It's because your bronchioles are inflamed and sometimes even closed off, so that your lungs never fully empty, and thus cannot fully fill. Do you ever get wheezy, and is it worse when you yell, talk loudly, or laugh for a long period of time? Mine mostly bothers me at night for some reason. I'd see another doctor if I were you, and maybe get a referral to a specialist.

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  • CharlieGunn
    14 years ago

    It sounds like what my mother calls 'getting the clausties,' in that your lungs feel claustrophobic. I get like this when I have panic attacks, my clothes are too bulky, or if I've smoked too much. It's really annoying!

    I'm sure your stomach isn't as big as you think. Practice just letting it hang loose. Little steps, and soon enough, it won't bug you anymore.

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  • JustCallumHere:)
    10 years ago

    I do it aswell.

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  • JustCallumHere:)
    10 years ago

    Breathing isnt normal...you should stop now!

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  • workaholic339
    13 years ago

    I think just loosing alil belly fat would help alot here

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  • PinkPuss
    14 years ago

    Find a healthy moderate asthma friendly (just in case) workout routine. This will help balance the breathing and flatten your stomach naturally.

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  • [Old Memory]
    14 years ago

    Did you ever think that when you suck in like that you are reducing the amount of room your lungs have to expand in your chest? Also, increased visceral fat can also take up precious room, the same with eating a large meal.

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  • schumacher
    14 years ago

    I actually have this same problem occasionally, i'm a male 21 y/o but i dont hold my gut in. it gets really annoying. I've also seen doctors about it and they told me nothing is wrong so i try to ignore it. other than being annoying it really doesn't affect me.

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    • Crudhouse
      12 years ago

      Do you smoke?

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  • Ironwafflez
    14 years ago

    sometimes i suddenly get aware of my breathing rythm and find it hard to get "satisfied" about it, but i dont normally have it like that. maybe you should stop thinking about it?
    Also, i cant stand people who try to be so damn thin! Do you have anorexia or what? sometime you just got to face the truth that nobody likes women who look like theyre gonna break in half! sorry if this offends you

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