About Shortness of BreathShortness of breath (medically known as “dyspnea”) is the sensation of not being able to get enough air. It can be either acute shortness of breath (minutes to hours), chronic (days to months), or intermittent (comes and goes). It is often described as a tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, a feeling of breathlessness, or a sensation of suffocation. While there are many causes of shortness of breath, the most
common causes are lung disease, heart disease, or deconditioning (lack of exercise, especially in people who are overweight or obese). It can also be seen in diseases that cause muscle weakness or disorders where fluid builds up around the lung (known as pleural effusions) or in the abdomen (known as ascites). Unexplained shortness of breath should be discussed with your physician to allow appropriate work-up to determine the cause. Show
Key facts about Shortness of Breath
Causes of Shortness of BreathHeart and lung conditions cause most cases of shortness of breath. You may feel shortness of breath for many reasons. Factors can include your overall health, medical history, and genetics. Talk to a health care provider to find out more about why you feel shortness of breath. Acute Shortness of BreathAcute shortness of breath can come on suddenly and last for a short period of time. Causes include: Heart conditions:
Psychological conditions:
Chronic Shortness of BreathShortness of breath can also be chronic, meaning it lasts for several weeks or longer. Causes include:
You may be shocked to learn that while respiratory diseases can cause shortness of breath, so can major non-respiratory diseases such as anemia, cardiovascular disease, heart failure, deconditioning, and psychological disorders. It’s important to understand all of the causes of shortness of breath to ensure that you get a proper diagnosis and undergo the appropriate treatment. Shortness of Breath: An Overview
Physiology of Shortness of BreathNormally, there’s a balance between the demand to breathe and ability to breathe. When there’s a balance, you have no awareness of breathing. Your body handles it for you. You feel shortness of breath when there’s an imbalance between the brain’s demand to breathe and the body’s ability to breathe. How serious is Shortness of Breath? In a healthy person, shortness of breath can be caused by:
If you have unexplained shortness of breath, especially if it comes on suddenly and is severe, see a doctor as soon as possible. Breathlessness may be more serious if it’s accompanied by:
Major Respiratory Diseases That Cause Shortness of Breath
Major Non-Respiratory Diseases That Cause Shortness of Breath
Putting It All TogetherYou just learned a lot about shortness of breath, and you may be confused by everything you just read. The following 5-minute video puts it all together so that you have a comprehensive understanding of shortness of breath in order to receive optimal treatment. Understanding Shortness of Breath: A Summary
U.S. National Library of Medicine. Cardiovascular System: MeSH Descriptor Data 2021. National Library of Medicine; 2021. Updated February 28, 2018. https://meshb.nlm.nih.gov/record/ui?name=Cardiovascular%20System Why Am I Short of Breath? – Donald A Mahler, MD. YouTube page. October 2, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx–Gf7hrqs&feature=emb_title Ashton R, Raman D. Dyspnea. Cleveland Clinic. 2015. Accessed June 30, 2020. http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/pulmonary/dyspnea/ Symptoms of Shortness of Breath (Alarm Symptoms)Some people with breathing problems can feel breathless just by doing normal activities like standing up or walking to another room. See your health care provider if you have shortness of breath, especially if it comes on suddenly or is severe. Other symptoms that may suggest a serious problem include:
What are the risk factors for Shortness of Breath?Common risk factors include:
Serious risk factors include:
Shortness of Breath vs Normal BreathingShortness of breath occurs when your body’s ability to breathe doesn’t match the brain’s orders to breathe. Ordinarily, your airway, lungs, breathing muscles, heart, and blood vessels work together with the brain to maintain sufficient oxygen levels in the body. Diagnosing Shortness of BreathPrompt diagnosis is important so that you can begin to manage the cause and symptoms of your shortness of breath. A medical history and exam can often give your health care provider a good explanation. Sometimes, special tests are required. How is Shortness of Breath diagnosed?Your doctor or other health care provider will ask you about your symptoms. Try to give him or her as much information about your symptoms as you can. Your provider will listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope. He or she may order additional tests, which could include:
When should you see your health care provider? Visit your health care provider when a normal activity causes unexpected shortness of breath. Get your breathing difficulty checked if it:
It’s important that you contact your health care provider if your shortness of breath doesn’t get better with treatment or is combined with other symptoms, such as chest pain. In such a case, you may need to seek emergency care. Treating Shortness of BreathTreatment for shortness of breath depends on its cause. If the cause is your lungs or airways, your health care provider may give you medication. If it’s because of anemia, you may need iron supplements. Most people begin to feel better after the diagnosis is clear. Your provider may recommend that you:
Living with Shortness of BreathShortness of breath can usually be managed with:
Other things you can do to prevent and control shortness of breath include:
ResourcesQuestions to ask your health care providerSet up a meeting with your provider. Together, you can go over how to manage your shortness of breath. See if you qualify for specific treatment, like pulmonary rehab. When you see your provider, ask:
Useful Links:
Can exercise help with shortness of breath?Breathing exercises and light physical activity can help with breathing difficulties. Always consult your doctor or health practitioner before starting any type of exercise program.
Can shortness of breath be caused by no exercise?A sedentary lifestyle. The most common cause of breathlessness is simply being out of shape.
What is the most common cause of shortness of breath?Most cases of shortness of breath are due to heart or lung conditions. Your heart and lungs are involved in transporting oxygen to your tissues and removing carbon dioxide, and problems with either of these processes affect your breathing.
Can lack of exercise cause lung problems?Among those with COPD, systematic reviews of the literature have shown that physical inactivity is associated with worse lung function [9], lower health-related quality of life, and greater dyspnea [10].
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