Chest tightness and shortness of breath during early pregnancy

At the beginning of pregnancy, a woman's body will have many early pregnancy reactions, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue are the most common. At the same time, some pregnant women will have symptoms of chest tightness and shortness of breath. In addition to the factor of pregnancy, other possibilities should be ruled out. After all, many reasons have similar manifestations, and we need to have a comprehensive understanding. So, what causes chest tightness and shortness of breath in early pregnancy?

reason

First, the enlargement of the abdomen during pregnancy causes increased abdominal pressure, which affects the respiratory movement of the diaphragm and thoracic respiratory muscles; secondly, compression of the inferior vena artery and vein reduces the amount of blood returning to the heart, and the fetus's metabolic waste is discharged into the mother's blood, causing a slight imbalance of the mother's blood electrolytes, mainly mild acidosis.

Other causes of chest tightness and shortness of breath:

Functional chest tightness: refers to staying in a room with closed doors and windows and poor air circulation for a long time, or encountering some unpleasant things, or even quarreling or arguing with others, or being in a climate with low air pressure, which often causes chest tightness and fatigue.

Cardiac neurosis: It is a type of systemic neurosis with various symptoms. The most common symptoms are palpitations, dyspnea, precordial pain and general fatigue. There are also symptoms such as irritability, insomnia, sweating, trembling, dizziness and nightmares.

Differential Diagnosis

Chest tightness is a subjective feeling of difficulty breathing or not having enough air. In severe cases, people may feel as if a stone is pressing down on their chest, and may even have difficulty breathing. It may be a functional manifestation of the body's organs, or it may be one of the earliest symptoms of disease in the human body.

Chest tightness and shortness of breath can also be seen in the following diseases:

1. Heart disease: certain congenital heart diseases, rheumatic heart valve disease, coronary heart disease, heart tumors;

2. Respiratory obstruction: tumors growing in the trachea and bronchus, tracheal stenosis, and external pressure on the trachea;

3. Lung diseases: emphysema, bronchitis, asthma, atelectasis, pulmonary infarction, and pneumothorax.

Mitigation methods

The growing fetus causes the diaphragm to rise, which can cause chest tightness and shortness of breath. There is no need to worry or take medication. Just improve your diet and nutrition, pay attention to rest, try to eat small meals frequently, and have regular prenatal checkups. Eat a healthy, balanced diet that provides your baby with all the necessary nutrients, while avoiding excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Avoid eating too many foods that are high in fat, salt, and sugar, as these foods can add weight and make your breathlessness worse. Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water throughout the day and cutting back on caffeine and other beverages that cause you to urinate more frequently.