Posts by Dr John Chinegwundoh
Respiratory Causes of Breathlessness – London & Surrey
Respiratory causes of shortness of breath include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chest infections and conditions affecting the lung tissue, lining or blood vessels. The pattern of your symptoms helps guide assessment, but symptoms alone rarely establish the diagnosis. You may notice breathlessness when walking or climbing stairs, or find that you can no…
Read MoreNon-respiratory causes of breathlessness – London & Surrey
Non-respiratory causes of shortness of breath include heart disease, anaemia, thyroid problems, obesity, reduced physical conditioning and anxiety. Breathlessness can therefore continue even when a chest X-ray or basic lung-function test is normal. Breathing depends on more than the lungs. Your heart must circulate blood, the blood must carry enough oxygen, and your muscles need…
Read MoreLung Nodule on a CT scan: What does it mean and What happens next?
A lung nodule is a small area of tissue seen as a spot on a lung scan. Most small lung nodules are non-cancerous. Some need repeat scans or further investigation, depending on their size, appearance, whether they have changed and your medical history. Finding a nodule does not automatically mean you have lung cancer. The…
Read MoreFeNO Test for Asthma: What your Results Mean
A FeNO test for asthma measures nitric oxide in your breath, helping your clinician identify a type of airway inflammation that often responds to steroid inhalers. Your result is reported in parts per billion (ppb). It needs to be interpreted alongside your symptoms, medicines and other test results. For people having an asthma assessment in…
Read MoreRespiratory rate during sleep: what is normal and what do Apple Watch readings mean?
Around 12 to 20 breaths per minute is a commonly used reference range for adults at rest. Sleep breathing varies, so this is not a strict overnight safety threshold. Breathing changes with sleep stage, and a smartwatch’s lowest recorded value is different from your average across the night. Your usual pattern and any symptoms also…
Read MoreWhy do I get breathless walking or climbing stairs?
Walking uphill and climbing stairs make your muscles, heart and lungs work harder. Some increase in breathing is expected, but new or worsening breathlessness can reflect reduced fitness, asthma, another lung condition, a heart problem or anaemia. The most useful clue is whether the same activity has become harder for you. If you now stop…
Read MoreWhy do I Wake With Night Sweats and Poor Sleep?
Waking up sweating can be caused by a warm bedroom, menopause, anxiety, medicines, alcohol or an underlying medical condition. Obstructive sleep apnoea is another possibility, particularly if you also snore, wake gasping or feel unrefreshed during the day. The pattern and accompanying symptoms help a clinician decide what to investigate. If you regularly wake drenched…
Read MoreWhat are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer in Women? London & Surrey
Lung cancer symptoms in women can include a persistent or changing cough, breathlessness, repeated chest infections, coughing up blood, chest or shoulder pain, unexplained weight loss and ongoing tiredness. The main warning signs are similar in women and men. Early lung cancer may cause no symptoms, and women who have never smoked can still develop…
Read MoreCardiology Tests for Breathlessness and What Normal Results Mean
Heart tests help establish whether a problem with your heart could explain shortness of breath. An ECG, echocardiogram and NT-proBNP blood test assess different aspects of heart function. Reassuring results make some cardiac causes less likely, but their meaning depends on which tests you had, when they were performed and the symptoms being investigated. If…
Read MoreWhy am I Breathless Despite Normal Heart Tests?
Breathlessness can continue after reassuring heart tests because breathing also depends on the lungs, blood, breathing muscles and physical conditioning. Possible non-cardiac causes include asthma, other lung conditions, anaemia, breathing pattern disorder and reduced fitness after illness. Normal heart tests help narrow the investigation, but they do not explain the symptom by themselves. Their meaning…
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