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Shortness of breath has lots of different causes. Common causes include: asthma. a chest infection. being overweight. smoking. a panic attack. But sometimes shortness of breath could be a sign of something more serious, such as: a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
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These conditions may cause breathlessness for different reasons. If your heart isn’t pumping enough oxygen-containing blood around the body, your body responds by breathing faster to try to get more oxygen into your body, making you feel short of breath. Or if your heart isn’t working as well as it should, this could cause a build-up of ...
- Overview
- Lung conditions that can cause breathing difficulty
- Heart conditions that can cause breathing difficulty
- Other causes of breathing difficulty
- Who’s at risk for breathing difficulties?
- Symptoms to watch for
- Breathing difficulties in young children
- How is this diagnosed?
- What treatment options are available?
- Q&A
Breathing difficulty can result from lung conditions like asthma, heart conditions, and environmental causes, such as allergies. Shortness of breath may indicate a serious health issue.
Experiencing breathing difficulty describes discomfort when breathing and feeling as if you can’t draw a complete breath. This can develop gradually or come on suddenly. Mild breathing problems, such as fatigue after an aerobics class, don’t fall into this category.
Breathing difficulties can be caused by many different conditions. They can also develop as a result of stress and anxiety.
It’s important to note that frequent episodes of shortness of breath or sudden, intense breathing difficulty may be signs of a serious health issue that needs medical attention. You should discuss any breathing concerns with your doctor.
Asthma
Asthma is an inflammation and narrowing of the airways that can cause: •shortness of breath •wheezing •chest tightness •coughing Asthma is a common condition that can range in severity.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can cause inflammation and a buildup of fluid and pus in the lung. Most types are contagious. Pneumonia can be a life-threatening condition, so prompt treatment is important. Symptoms may include: •shortness of breath •cough •chest pain •chills •sweating •fever •muscle pain •exhaustion
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
COPD refers to a group of diseases that lead to poor lung function. Other signs and symptoms include: •wheezing •a constant cough •increased mucus production •low oxygen levels •chest tightness Emphysema, often caused by years of smoking, is in this category of diseases.
Coronary artery disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a disease that causes the arteries that supply blood to the heart to narrow and harden. This condition leads to decreased blood flow to the heart, which can permanently damage the heart muscle. Signs and symptoms also include: •chest pain (angina) •heart attack
Congenital heart disease
A congenital heart disease, sometimes called congenital heart defects, refers to inherited problems with the structure and function of the heart. These problems can lead to: •breathing difficulty •breathlessness •abnormal heart rhythms
Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias are types of irregular heartbeats, affecting the heart rhythm or heart rate, causing a heart to beat too fast or too slow. People with preexisting heart conditions are at higher risk for developing an arrhythmia.
Environmental issues
Environmental factors can also affect breathing, such as: •allergies to dust, mold, or pollen •stress and anxiety •blocked air passages from a stuffy nose or throat phlegm •lowered oxygen intake from climbing to a high altitude
Hiatal hernia
A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the chest. People with large hiatal hernias may also experience: •chest pain •difficulty swallowing •heartburn Medication and lifestyle changes can often treat small hiatal hernias. Larger hernias or smaller ones that don’t respond to treatment may require surgery.
You’re at greater risk for breathing problems if you:
•experience constant stress
•have allergies
•have a chronic lung or heart condition
The primary symptom of breathing problems is feeling as though you can’t breathe in enough oxygen. Some specific signs include:
•a faster breathing rate
•wheezing
•blue fingernails or lips
•a pale or gray complexion
•excessive sweating
Babies and young children often have breathing difficulties when they have respiratory viruses. Breathing symptoms often occur because small children don’t know how to clear their noses and throats. There are several conditions that can lead to more severe breathing difficulties. Most children recover from these conditions with proper treatment.
Your doctor will need to determine the underlying cause of your breathing difficulties. They’ll ask you how long you’ve had the problem, whether it’s mild or intense, and whether physical exertion makes it worse.
After reviewing your medical history, your doctor will examine your airway passages, lungs, and heart.
Depending on the findings of your physical exam, your doctor might recommend one or more diagnostic tests, including:
•blood tests
•chest X-ray
•CT scan
Lifestyle changes
If having a stuffy nose, exercising too hard, or hiking at high altitudes causes your symptoms, your breathing is likely to return to normal if you’re otherwise healthy. The temporary symptoms will resolve once your cold goes away, you stop exercising, or you return to a lower altitude.
Stress reduction
If stress is causing your breathing problems, you can reduce stress by developing coping mechanisms. Just a few ways to relieve stress include: •meditation •counseling •exercise Listening to relaxing music or talking to a friend can also help you reset and refocus. If you’re concerned about your breathing problems and don’t already have a primary care provider, you can view doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.
Medication
Some breathing difficulties are symptoms of serious heart and lung illnesses. In these cases, your doctor will prescribe medication and other treatments. If you have asthma, for example, you may need to use an inhaler immediately after experiencing breathing problems. If you have allergies, your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine to reduce your body’s allergic reaction. Your doctor may also recommend avoiding allergy triggers like dust or pollen. In extreme cases, you may need oxygen therapy, a breathing machine, or other treatment and monitoring at a hospital. If your child is experiencing mild breathing difficulties, you may want to try some soothing home remedies alongside treatment from a doctor. Cool or moist air can help, so take your child outside into the night air or into a steamy bathroom. You can also try running a cool mist humidifier while your child is sleeping.
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Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice. Was this helpful?
Oct 10, 2024 · Wheezing is a coarse whistling sound that occurs when you breathe. It is a common symptom for certain lung diseases. There are various causes. If you have any breathing difficulty or other alarming symptoms in addition to wheezing - and you do not know what to do - then see a doctor immediately. This leaflet discusses the main causes of wheezing.
Aug 9, 2024 · Difficulty breathing is a symptom of many conditions, including colds and flu, anxiety, asthma, COPD, emphysema, heart attacks, and more. Physical exertion and obstructions are also possible causes.
May 20, 2024 · Heart failure can also cause breathing difficulties. Heart failure means your heart cannot pump enough blood around your body. It’s usually because the heart muscle has become too weak or stiff to work properly. It leads to a build-up of fluid inside the lungs, which makes breathing more difficult.
People also ask
What causes breathing difficulties?
Why do I have a bad breath?
Why do I feel short of breath?
What causes shortness of breath (dyspnea)?
What does it mean if you have breathing difficulties?
What causes breathlessness in the lungs?
Anxiety. Injury that makes breathing difficult (like a broken rib). Medication. Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) and beta-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure) are two types of medications that can cause dyspnea. Extreme temperatures (being very hot or very cold). Body mass index (BMI) over 30.
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