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Full Tummy

caryhug profile image
11 Replies

Hi guys, since I'm new here I will have lots of questions - please bear with me!

I had noticed, long before I was diagnosed, that having a big meal made me feel breathless. Nowadays I find that I have to be very careful and even modest meals can affect me. Drinking too much water has the same affect. Does anyone else experience this? I imagine that my lungs are fighting for space with my stomach? Is that crazy or what?

Caroline x

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caryhug profile image
caryhug
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11 Replies

I sometimes have the same thing. It's the stomach pushing against the diaphragm. I sometimes lay down on my front with a cushion under my belly, it seems to help.

caryhug profile image
caryhug in reply to

Thanks I'll try that 😀

Homely2 profile image
Homely2

I have asthma and found I was much worse after meals. The medic said it was Gerd and gave me some tablets, which helped. However I found I could achieve the same by having smaller meals.

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees in reply toHomely2

Smaller meals are advised for anyone with GERD, regardless of lung conditions!

Biker88 profile image
Biker88

as mentioned the stomach presses on the diaphragm which affects breathing also a hiatus hernia can have the same effect. If it’s a real problem a referral to a gastroenterologist may be an option.

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl

Not crazy at all. Our skin holds all the organs in, and while it is stretchy, it's not that stretchy. I feel my stomach going outwards after a big meal, and then I too get that breathless feeling as the stomach does its work digesting the food. These days, I've learned to stop eating before I'm full and ask for a doggie bag if I'm out for a meal - as we did at the Miller and Carter restaurant on Sunday when we went for a birthday meal.

Difficul profile image
Difficul

Yes also digesting uses energy which consumes oxygen.

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana

Hello there. In the case of obstructive lung disease (the patient cannot expell air properly from the lungs) the lungs remain somewhat inflated from air retention. Patients who have this condition are known simply as "retainers". This causes the lungs to push against the stomach area making you feel constantly full.

There are only two things I did that helped with this. I tried to keep as active as possible and the other thing was to eat small meals at intervals. Don't eat or drink too much in one sitting. 👋🙂

Nula2 profile image
Nula2

Hi Caroline, I have Bronchiectasis and always get a stomach ache and find it even harder to breath after eating. I try to eat little and often. I am very underweight which my Bronch specialist is concerned about (although it doesn't worry me as I have a good appetite) so I eat as much as I can. But think little and often does help. Also I struggle to swallow liquid sometimes but find drinking through a straw easier (I drink water mixed with diluted fruit juice). Take care xxx

blueferret profile image
blueferret

I try to have small meals more often. I feel like I use more energy eating than I`ll get from the food. I have to eat slowly and I have a blender mix of fruit, milk and whey protein powder, loads of goodness and no breathless chewing. It helps a lot.

Osha profile image
Osha in reply toblueferret

Blender a good idea for drinks Sometimes i feel like blending the chicken. Eating is so hard I’ve lost weight because of this

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