Breathing problems include shortness of breath or feeling like you can’t get enough air and range from mild to severe. Shortness of breath is a symptom of many illnesses, not just colds and flu. It may also include conditions like, anxiety, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiac arrest. One may also feel breathing problems as result from physical exertion.
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There are over 50 million Americans with allergies. And nearly 26 million adults in the United States have asthma. The two tend to go hand-in-hand. If left untreated, they can ruin your life. Some have occasional breathing problems, while others have chronic conditions. Let’s learn more about it since knowing the causes, symptoms and treatments can help to manage or even solve these problems.
Signs of Breathing Issues
When Should You Be Concerned?
Certain symptoms may appear minor but signify a larger problem. Watch out for:
- Shortness of breath while lying down
- Blue-tinted lips or fingers
- Swelling/edema in the legs
- Also, chest pain with shortness of breath
Chronic versus Acute Breathing Issues
o Chronic: One may suffer for weeks or months long (e.g., asthma, COPD)
o Acute: sudden onset with a rapid response (e.g. allergic reactions, infections)
What Causes Difficulty Breathing?
1. Respiratory Infections
Those suffering the common cold, flu and other respiratory infections may find it hard to breath. These illnesses cause these symptoms, hence, making it more difficult to breathe:
- stuffy nose
- a sore throat
- Swelling or inflammation in the lungs
- fluid buildup
- sinusitis
- excess mucus in the airways
Symptoms of respiratory infections can range from mild to severe. A cold or flu should not cause difficulty breathing. Anyone who is having such symptoms should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Infections can involve different regions of the lungs. Bronchitis, for instance, is the inflammation of the main lung airways (the bronchi). While, pneumonia can cause fluid or pus accumulation in the lung’s air sacs (the alveoli).
2. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
COPD consists a number of lung disorders like chronic asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD symptoms could become worse at night before sleeping.
Symptoms of COPD may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Sharp chest pain
- Coughing
- Lower levels of oxygen in blood and fatigue
3. Lung cancer
Some lung cancers and cancer treatments can lead to shortness of breath. Tumours in the airways themselves can disturb airflow. Also, surgeries to remove tumours, chemotherapy or radiation therapy can cause respiratory problems.
Radiotherapy and exposure to a high-dose chemotherapy drugs can cause lung inflammation. While, those receiving cancer treatment have an increased risk of anaemia, and other conditions that affect respiratory function.
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4. Panic attacks
Sometimes a person might feel so anxious that they may suffer from panic attacks. This may almost feel like a heart attack. Additional symptoms of a panic attack can be:
- an elevated or racing heart beat
- a feeling of choking
- sweating
5. Pregnancy
As pregnancy proceeds, the foetus grows larger and can start pushing on nearby organs and muscles. These muscles include the diaphragm. It lies right below the lungs, and helps in taking deeper breaths.
If the uterus presses on the diaphragm, this can make it harder for the person to take deep breaths.
6. Anaemia
Anaemia is when the body creates fewer healthy red blood cells than it needs. Thus, resulting in lesser oxygen rich-blood flow. Fatigue and weakness are the most common sources of breath shortness.
7. Asthma
Asthma is a chronic disease that leads to inflammation of the tubes (known as airways). These tubes carry air to and from the lungs.
Like other chronic conditions, a person’s asthma will come and go over time, mostly in response to a trigger. Triggers differ from person but may include exercise, smoke, or allergens.
Tests to Diagnose Breathing Problems
1. Lung Function Tests (LFTs)
One type tests lung capacity and another tests, airflow. Also, they assist in the diagnosis of asthma, COPD and other lung diseases.
2. X-rays and CT scans
These imaging tests are most commonly used by doctors to look for infections, lung damage or tumours.
3. Blood Tests and Oxygen Levels
Low levels of oxygen in the blood can indicate serious lung or heart problems.
Treatments for Breathing Problems
The key to treating breathing problems is to focus on the original cause.
1. Medications and Inhalers
People with asthma and COPD often rely on inhalers to open their airways and help them breathe.
2. Oxygen Therapy
In worst cases, additional oxygen is required for breathing.
3. Lifestyle Changes
- Quit smoking
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Keep away from allergens and air pollutants
- Stay active
4. Exercise Breathing and Relaxation
Separate from breathing exercises, deep breathing and meditation can promote improved lung function. It can also and reduce anxiety-related breathing problems.
5. When to Seek Emergency Help
- Call 911 or go to the ER if you have:
- Severe shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Confusion or dizziness
- Fainting
Do not neglect these since they might be symptoms of a life-threatening illness.
To Conclude
Here are some breathing problems not to be ignored and how to make sure it’s not something serious. Early detection of the underlying problem and proper management can lead to improvements in quality of life. Whether it’s asthma, anxiety or something worse, there are many therapeutic options to help with difficulty breathing. If you feel like you are out of breath, be sure to go to a medical professional.
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