Breathlessness that limits daily activity, wakes you at night, or comes on with exertion deserves a proper assessment. At Mascot Healthcare, Akoka, we assess breathing difficulty with chest examination, peak flow, FBC, and ECG. By appointment from ₦5,000.
Can't walk up stairs or hurry without getting breathless — may indicate anaemia, heart failure, asthma, or pulmonary disease.
FBC + ECG + assessmentParoxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea — waking in the night unable to breathe — is a classic sign of cardiac failure.
Urgent cardiac assessmentA whistling sound on breathing out + breathlessness = bronchospasm. Asthma or COPD. Responds to bronchodilator.
Peak flow + salbutamol trialBreathless walking across a room — significant functional impairment requiring urgent assessment.
Urgent — same dayProfound fatigue + breathlessness without wheeze = anaemia until proven otherwise. Common in Lagos women with heavy periods.
Urgent FBCHeart rhythm disorder causing breathlessness — palpitations alongside breathing difficulty needs ECG.
ECG + cardiac assessmentSevere anaemia (haemoglobin below 7–8 g/dL) causes breathlessness because the blood cannot carry enough oxygen to meet demand. Common causes in Lagos: iron deficiency from heavy menstrual bleeding, malaria, and poor dietary iron. An FBC is the first investigation.
Obstructive lung disease causes breathlessness with wheeze — typically episodic in asthma, progressive in COPD. Peak flow measurement and response to salbutamol bronchodilator help confirm the diagnosis.
Breathlessness on exertion and lying flat, ankle swelling, and nocturnal awakening with breathlessness — a combination suggesting left ventricular failure. Hypertension is the leading cause in Lagos. ECG and chest X-ray are the first-line investigations.
Acute breathlessness with fever and productive cough — pneumonia. Examination of the chest distinguishes pneumonia from bronchitis.
Targeted at the identified cause:
By appointment chest and breathing assessment at Mascot Healthcare, Akoka. From ₦5,000.