Treat Yourself

How to treat yourself and help determine if the carotid body has become a part of your problem:

If your breathlessness is episodic (if it comes and goes) you are almost surely not suffering from a disfunctioning carotid body. If your breathlessness is helped by the following procedures, you are almost surely not suffering from a disfunctioning carotid body.

Allow the water in one of your sinks to run to warm (as warm as you can stand without hurting your face). Place a wash cloth in the water, squeeze it out and breathe through it two or three times. Repeat this several times. If you can take deeper breaths and realize some relief from your shortness of breath this is a great sign. Warm gaseous water will overcome your condition. If you are not sure, drink some warm coffee, tea or water and re-try breathing through the warm wash cloth. If you are still not sure, ask yourself: “can I take a warm shower without getting short of breath. If you can, do so. While in the shower, breathe through a wash cloth again. If you can do it, you will most likely be helped by the technology.

If you have severe and continuous shortness of breath do not do these tests alone. Have a trusted friend or healthcare provider ready to help you. Do not take a warm shower if you already know if makes you short of breath. You are likely to have a malfunctioning carotid body