Breathing and Digestion

Sean Brown86 said:Man... I’m seriously so grateful to everyone who even bothers reading this, let alone helping out with advice... but I feel like nobody is actually catching my drift... like, you just don't get it. So, the endoscopy showed some damage to my esophagus... grade one peptic changes... specifically involving the corpus, or whatever the exact medical term is... but then the internist at that same hospital tells me it’s basically nothing. He thinks the only thing I should be dealing with is heartburn, but I don't have any heartburn at all, not even once. As for stress, I am absolutely ruling that out because... this stuff doesn't just show up whenever I feel "stressed"... it happens from the second I wake up in the morning... and even when I'm on Normabel (doing the test)... it’s the same deal... all the time. My clear symptoms are these... basically, when I’m trying to "push" on the toilet, there's no effect even though I'm putting in the effort and there's material right there; burping and vomiting are blocked (meaning I try, but maybe once out of six attempts I manage to burp); pressure in my chest during inhalation; air escaping from my abdomen during core exercises or static holds; and during intense running—like, I measured it, 30 minutes at an 80% pace—I can manage to breathe, but when I succeed, it hurts around my solar plexus, for example... and when I press on my stomach just above the navel, I feel this burning sensation, and that happens absolutely anytime, whether it's morning, night, or if I'm starving. As for my heart, I have to wait until March 1st.
Another weird thing is that even before this whole mess started, about a year ago, I used to have mornings where I had to go to the bathroom and nothing would happen... usually after eating late at night... just like how things are now. Only now, the fallout has been dragging on for six months. Also, on my spirometry, my intake was 90 out of 115 percent, which the doctor brushed off as "anxiety," but I’ve done spirometry before and I know what I’m doing—this time I gave it everything I had. But when it doesn't work, it doesn't work, and there isn't a doctor in the world who can tell me it's all in my head or psychological, because it simply isn't. I don't have any worries, no stress, nothing; in fact, when this started, my life was perfect, so... yeah. And regarding training, I only work out so I don't pack on the pounds and just fall apart. I also remembered one more symptom that clearly points to a problem: when I used to run in the cold and breathe through my mouth, I could feel that chill and the airflow in my throat, but now that's gone... the whole time, even when I'm resting, the air just doesn't flow the way it should. I'm also wondering if it could be something with my gut—like, if that food sitting in me all night undigested is causing something that makes it hard for me to breathe properly. 🤷

I honestly think he needs to stop training for at least two months.

There's some truth to what doctors say about stress, but they aren't talking about "stress" in the sense of being frantic during a race or having a bad day... they mean more like that deep, existential weight you carry around... like always overplanning everything, always wanting more, constantly doubting your own moves, or constantly overanalyzing yourself. There is definitely that kind of "stress" present in this illness; I don't think that specific type of stress *causes* the disease, but if the disease is already there, it might push it forward and make things worse... similarly, I don't think you can cure yourself just by getting rid of that "stress," but you can definitely dial down the symptoms.

I haven't hit the gym in three months... right from when this whole thing started... and honestly, nothing has changed. I don't have any issues with my stomach lining since there's no pain, and I'll say it again: it's not coming in waves. It's just constant. And as for using the restroom? I'm sitting there straining, but nothing happens. It really should be moving along, especially because I know exactly how things used to work before this. 😢

Man, it’s probably your gut acting up too... you should really look into getting a colonoscopy done while you're at it. And just to be safe, maybe grab an allergy panel and some basic blood work, because honestly, it might just be what you're eating. You should try testing it out on yourself... I mean, don't you notice how some meals make everything run smooth while others just totally wreck your digestion?

casualmoose4 said:Is it possible that improper breathing during exertion increases abdominal pressure—basically due to extra strain on the wall musculature—and that’s what caused the issues?

It’s actually very possible. When you're pushing yourself and holding your breath, you're cranking up that intra-abdominal pressure. We do the exact opposite when we focus on exhaling during the effort.

casualmoose4 said:The mucosal inflammation isn't really an inflammation at all—it's more like just increased acidity, which isn't chronic, and the endoscopy wasn't just some precautionary measure.

From my perspective, mucosal irritation is usually driven by eating habits—like snacking constantly or eating huge meals at the wrong times—rather than any physical dysfunction (though that can happen, I suppose, but it's pretty rare)...

Stay healthy and happy
👋

I don't have much to do with this topic, but could what you're experiencing be linked to some kind of bone damage? Forgive me for bringing up an example from the animal kingdom that reminded me of your situation. Perhaps there is a connection. Consider this:

Diaphragmatic hernia. Is there anything more unsettling?

My 1.5-year-old male cat lives in an apartment but goes outdoors. He isn't neutered. About a week ago, he returned from being out for 24 hours looking perfectly fine. After eating, he stayed indoors, but the next day we noticed him straining intensely in his litter box without any success. A few hours later, he had severe diarrhea. His urination seemed normal. Over the following 24 hours, his condition deteriorated; he became lethargic, apathetic, and showed clear signs of abdominal pain when touched. We took him to the vet. An initial X-ray showed nothing unusual, so he was given contrast, and they repeated the X-ray the following day.

The vet gave us the diagnosis: a ruptured or congenital diaphragm issue has caused intestinal displacement toward the lungs. The colon was full of waste. They recommended surgery to repair the diaphragm, which would have to be done in Austin because intubation is required. Success—or rather, survival—isn't guaranteed. With some paraffin oil, the cat finally had a normal bowel movement yesterday (stool was firm, no blood, no worms, no hair). He’s eating and drinking, though he prefers high-quality canned food or raw turkey over his old kibble. Does anyone have experience with this? Should I follow the surgical recommendation or is there another way? Also, is he in pain, and would surgery actually restore his quality of life? Euthanasia is off the table unless the pain becomes unmanageable.

The diaphragm is the massive muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal organs. By contracting and relaxing, it shifts the volume within the chest to drive air in and out of the lungs. Is breathing even possible without a functional diaphragm? It is entirely dependent on it.

A ruptured diaphragm can cause a sudden spike in abdominal pressure, resulting in what is known as a hernia. This pressure surge typically stems from blunt force trauma to the abdomen—most often from car accidents, though falls from heights or dog attacks can also trigger it. Congenital diaphragmatic defects, such as pericardoperitoneal, hiatal, or the extremely rare pleuroperitoneal hernias, are seldom seen in cats. Is it even worth discussing such rare cases?

What are the types of diaphragmatic hernia?

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia occurs when the abdominal muscle wall ruptures due to severe impact or a heavy fall. When intra-abdominal pressure forces contents through this breach into the chest cavity, the lungs face immediate compression. This structural failure prevents the muscle from contracting normally, making breathing difficult. Is there any way around such damage?

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs when kittens are born with an incomplete abdominal muscle. It isn't a rupture; the muscle simply fails to form completely. This creates abnormal openings in the diaphragm. While this specific type is less common in cats than acquired versions, the diagnosis and treatment protocols remain essentially the same.

Clinical signs of an acquired diaphragmatic hernia can manifest immediately following trauma, or they may remain undetected for several weeks. In cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, symptoms might surface during early life or even much later in adulthood. The primary symptom is respiratory distress. The severity of this breathing difficulty depends on the extent of the damage, ranging from imperceptible to extreme exertion involving only abdominal muscle movement. In critical cases, the healthy pink color of the tongue, gums, and lips may turn bluish. If the hernia contains intestines or the stomach, expect vomiting, loss of appetite, and frequent constipation. This condition is painful. Beyond the initial muscle tear, the constant movement of the rib cage and abdomen during respiration creates pressure on internal organs like the stomach and intestines within the chest cavity, causing pain that also affects lung tissue. This is not a suggestion to consider euthanasia; rather, you should consult with your veterinarian to evaluate the best course of action for your pet's rapid recovery based on their specific findings.

A cat's health risk depends entirely on the size and placement of the abdominal hernia. A minor diaphragmatic hernia might go unnoticed while the cat lives a perfectly normal life. However, large hernias can trigger rapid symptoms and lead to death if treated too late. It is also common for a small opening to expand over time.

If you suspect a diaphragmatic hernia, seek veterinary help immediately. An X-ray provides an almost instant diagnosis.

Surgery is the only effective treatment. It should be performed once the cat's condition stabilizes so they can safely handle general anesthesia. The procedure closes the hole in the diaphragm and returns the abdominal organs to their proper place.

Based on what I know, specialists at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Teaching Hospital also utilize inhalation anesthesia, so you may want to contact them.

The mortality rate due to surgical complications or pre-operative issues is roughly 20%. Success depends heavily on the cat's initial health; unstable cats face much higher risks because the surgery itself adds significant stress.

Answered by: Dr. Sarah Miller, DVM, PetSmart Clinic, 5th Avenue, New York City
Source: www.petsmartclinic.com

Jeremy Watson16- Honestly, it doesn't matter what I eat... even if I fast for a few days, nothing changes. As for my bowel movements... they seem normal, I guess? It’s not like I haven’t gone in 2 or 3 days... I just can't force it. I have to wait and wait until it finally happens on its own. Regarding that hernia, I asked my doctor about it. She thinks it could be causing the heartburn and all that... although my endoscopy showed some esophageal damage, she said that wouldn't be the reason for my breathing issues.
AS FOR THE REFLUX, I asked her about that too, and she mentioned it might cause coughing or pain... but I really suspect it's something with my gut or intestines instead.
Today at the gym, we were doing 4x4 minute intervals—30-meter sprints, over and over. I just had to stop because that pressure in my chest makes it impossible to catch my breath. And it feels like it's all coming from my gut... because when I'm full and my food is digesting incredibly slowly, if I tighten my stomach, it hurts. It's definitely not the lining, since I took Nexium and it didn't help one bit. I even did a stool test and everything came back clear. And please, I'm begging you, stop telling me it's all in my head. I am being completely sincere here... I know exactly when this started and why, and I know precisely where I feel it. I just don't know the direct cause or how to fix it. I've already started spiraling and overthinking everything because I keep repeating myself. 🙂 thanks again, everyone 🙏

Hey everyone, I just finished off some Goldfish crackers... dry, and washed them down with some Muscle Milk... It’s been about two or three hours now and it's slowly moving through my system, but man, my stomach is acting up. I was over at the local urgent care for a bit earlier, and I can't get away from this constant bloating. There is this massive pressure in my abdomen—I mean, it feels huge, like everything is being squeezed from the sides. It happens every single time, seriously, every time. 😢

Hey, you don't seriously think that every single time you eat something, you have to go to the bathroom within an hour, right? Most people generally go once a day, not immediately after every meal.

Oh, no way... I’m definitely not forcing it... and I don't go running to the bathroom after every single meal... hahaha! That just came out wrong. I was just describing how it hit me right then and there. But honestly, when I actually *have* to go, I don't get that intense pressure from my upper GI anymore. It's like, once the urge hits, it just happens... but that heavy, pressurized feeling in my upper stomach? That's totally gone. 🙂

Honestly, I really want to thank you all for putting in the effort and helping me out so much... at the very least, you guys actually listen to me instead of just brushing me off like everyone else does. People around me think my constant worrying and urge to get this sorted immediately is just some side effect of stress... but trust me, it isn't. If it were, it would manifest in a totally different way—I mean, I did study psychology, after all! hehehe 🙂 Thanks again, everyone

Well, your situation is actually pretty interesting. Should we call in Dr. House?🤔

hahahaha... man, you have no idea how many times I’ve thought about doing that... but look... those guys would have me figured out in a heartbeat. They’d bring me in, run every single test under the sun for a few days, and boom—case closed. What really kills me is that not one doctor has actually told me what's causing this shortness of breath. Everyone just gives me the runaround. "It’s a little bit of this," or "that's not quite right," or "your levels are slightly off"... nothing concrete! And then, once they hit a wall and don't know what else to do? It's always the same old line: "It's probably just stress, go home."

This sounds like it could be related to a hernia, especially since you mentioned straining while using the restroom😁. It can even affect your breathing. Have you actually seen a doctor about a possible hernia?
If some part of your intestine slips into a hernia due to straining, it could definitely cause the gas issues you're describing because things aren't moving properly. It's strange that this started right after you began your physical training. It’s rare, but certainly not impossible.

Sean Brown86 said:hahahaha... if only you knew how many times I've thought about doing that... but look... those people would find something wrong with me immediately... I'd show up there... stay for a few days... get run through every test imaginable... and that's it... what kills me is that not one doctor has actually told me the real cause of this shortness of breath... everyone just says "this is a little low" or "that isn't quite right" or "this is off"... nothing concrete, and then once they're stumped, it's just "it's all in your head, go home"...

If you have the chance, try looking outside the US. Seven neurosurgeons here couldn't explain why I was getting these burning pains all over my legs, and they were all just shaking their heads in confusion. Today, an eighth one finally explained why it hurts the way it does and said it made perfect sense to him. Yeah, he's based in Austin.

Hey, have you heard back about the diagnosis yet? Any news on whether there are any changes?

hmm, I’ve actually been dealing with some pretty similar stuff lately—you know, the whole irregular bathroom situation and that feeling like you just can't fully empty your system, plus this constant urge to burp where nothing actually comes up, and my stomach feels heavy, and I get this shortness of breath, and sometimes my heart just starts racing out of nowhere...
I know you mentioned you don't think it's stress, but honestly, for me, those exact symptoms are totally triggered by stress.
Maybe you don't feel like you're a high-strung person in general, but from what I can see, this is really eating away at you, and it's pretty obvious things are getting worse because you seem to be getting more and more frustrated by the whole thing.
If it really is stress-related, then it wouldn't just hit you in random bursts; it would be a constant presence, even when you aren't actively worked up for a little bit... everything needs time to settle back down!
You should seriously try some relaxation exercises, maybe like 20 minutes a day, because there's no way you can just shake it off on your own!
but if you could actually manage to truly relax...

Hey, aren't you going to give us an update on what you found out?

First off, I’m really sorry for being so quiet lately... I just haven't been checking the forum at all, and honestly, I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything. 🙂 It’s been seven months now...
So, I finally figured out what's going on, though it's not 100% pinpointed yet. It looks like a pinched nerve or some kind of rib misalignment. Since the area isn't moving properly, it's causing all those digestive issues (basically due to abdominal pressure). Everything feels exactly the same right now, but I should be getting an MRI on my ribs and that part of my chest next week to get a definitive answer.
I actually discovered this when my orthopedist applied pressure to my rib cage and I was suddenly able to take a full, deep breath! There's some movement there, but it honestly blows my mind. How can these high-powered doctors have no clue how a little bit of pressure could mess with digestion? They kept insisting it was just simple pressure and not some underlying disease or something "all in my head." I was seriously losing my mind with those kinds of dismissals. In the end, it was actually my sister—who’s a physical therapist specializing in nerve issues and injuries like this—who suggested what I should look into.

Thanks again to everyone for caring, for the advice, and for all the help... and truly, sorry for leaving you guys hanging. Once I get this sorted out, I'll let you know exactly what the diagnosis is. 🙂 🙏

I really hope this whole situation starts unravelling soon so we can finally see some clarity!
And please, do be sure to let us all know as soon as there is any news to share!

Hey everyone... hey there! So, I can happily report that absolutely nothing has changed yet. XD... I just had an MRI done, and looking at the images, there aren't any breaks, no issues, nothing... which wasn't a huge surprise since I'm not in any pain. I saw a chiropractor who worked on my lumbar spine, but he didn't touch my rib cage at all... so I'm heading back tomorrow to get that sorted out. Basically, everything is status quo. The only thing I've figured out so far is that it’s likely just muscle strain, which we already suspected, especially since there's no actual structural damage. Stress isn't the culprit either; I talked it over with my sister, who—let's just say—is a total pro when it comes to this stuff after finishing her law degree. :P All in all, I'm still just playing the waiting game. 😢 🤷