Hello Doctor,
I’m 18 years old, 5'8" tall, and weigh 104kg. For the past 7-9 months, I’ve been having trouble breathing, especially after eating or doing light physical activity. It seems to happen more often on hot days, when I walk to college, or sometimes after eating junk or fast food, though it’s not always the case. However, I’ve noticed that rice—whether it’s boiled rice, pulao, or even dishes like macaroni or pasta—almost always triggers the breathing problem right away. I’m concerned about what might be causing this. Can you help me understand why this is happening and what could be behind it?
Hello
Thank you for reaching out to Dr. Galen. Please find the below response to your query.
It sounds like your symptoms might be related to a few different factors. You're in college, which can be stressful both physically and emotionally, and your diet seems to vary quite a bit—on a good day, it’s high in carbohydrates, but on bad days, it might include more junk food.
You mentioned that your symptoms seem worse when you're rushing to class on hot days, which might suggest that physical exertion combined with the heat could be contributing to your breathing difficulties. Also, it's important to consider hydration—are you drinking enough water, or are your beverages mostly coffee, cola, or energy drinks like Red Bull? These can all impact your body in different ways.
Rather than jumping straight to medications, I’d recommend taking an honest look at your diet and lifestyle over the course of a week. This might give you a clearer picture of any patterns that could be triggering your symptoms. A balanced diet, proper hydration, and managing stress can often make a significant difference.
Thanks
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