Causes and Symptoms of Shortness of Breath
Having shortness of breath can be a very debilitating condition. It can lead to problems with exercise and also affects your general health. This is why it is important to know the causes and treatment of the condition.
Asthma
Symptoms of shortness of breath are very common, especially when you’re living with asthma. These symptoms are caused by inflammation of the airways, which narrows the bronchioles and makes it difficult to breathe.
If you are experiencing difficulty breathing, there are several ways to treat it. The right treatment for you depends on the severity of the condition. A simple breathing exercise can help, as can medications.
The best way to determine whether you have asthma is to visit a doctor. He or she can test your lung function with an EKG and a chest x-ray, as well as check your blood.
A peak flow meter can also be used to measure your airflow strength. If you have asthma, your doctor may use an inhaler or rescue inhaler to treat the problem.
You might also experience difficulty breathing due to other conditions, such as heart failure. In addition to shortness of breath, there are other symptoms to watch for, including wheezing and coughing.
If you have asthma, it’s important to be aware of all of your symptoms, because these can change from day to day. Having a personal asthma action plan will make it easier to know what to do if an attack occurs.
During an asthma attack, you might feel short of breath, but you should not panic. You should take a deep breath and try to relax. A tense feeling in your chest is an indicator that your bronchioles are constricted.
COVID-19
Symptoms of COVID-19 are typically low-grade fever, cough, and fatigue. However, shortness of breath is another symptom to look out for. In some cases, it can even lead to ARDS, a serious lung disease.
When you have a viral infection, such as the flu, you’re likely to have shortness of breath. In most cases, shortness of breath doesn’t last long. This symptom is a good indicator that you need to get medical attention.
There are many causes of shortness of breath. Besides the flu, pneumonia, and asthma, it can be a sign of heart or lung disease, anxiety, or even high altitude.
Several clinical studies have shown that between 1.4% and 7.6% of people who have mild coronavirus infections experience shortness of breath. Some patients have also undergone conventional testing to try to find the underlying cause of their breathing difficulties.
Fortunately, there are advanced tests to help diagnose shortness of breath in COVID-19 patients. These tests can be done at a number of specialized testing centers across the United States. In addition, they can help identify whether a person’s respiratory symptoms are due to COVID-19 or a different illness.
When you’re feeling short of breath, you can’t get enough oxygen into your blood. This is because your lungs can’t effectively transport oxygen. As a result, your heart is working harder to pump blood and your breathing rate increases. It’s important to monitor your breath frequently and see your doctor right away.
Heart failure
Having shortness of breath and heart failure can be alarming signs of a serious condition. However, it is important to know that this condition is treatable, and you can get your symptoms under control. You should visit your healthcare provider as soon as possible to receive the help you need. Depending on the condition, you may be prescribed medicine to prevent the condition from getting worse.
Some conditions, like angina and coronary artery disease, may cause shortness of breath and heart failure. Other conditions have similar symptoms, but you should always seek a medical evaluation for a diagnosis.
In most cases, you will be given a heart failure test to determine the exact cause of the problem. This test will show changes in your heart rate and blood pressure. You will also have follow-up visits to make sure your condition does not get worse.
Heart failure is caused by a number of different factors. It can be caused by a severe heart valve problem, or it can be a result of long-standing hypertension. Other factors include infection or toxins. Your healthcare provider can diagnose heart failure and prescribe medications to help.
In addition to medicines, you should also try to live a healthy lifestyle. This includes avoiding alcohol, smoking, and consuming too much salt in your diet. You should also be sure to stay active, as exercise can help keep your condition from progressing. You should also watch your weight and blood pressure.
Lung problems
Getting short of breath can be an uncomfortable experience. Often, a visit to the doctor is the best course of action. The symptoms of shortness of breath may be associated with several different medical conditions.
One of the more common causes of shortness of breath is asthma. People with asthma may need to take an inhaler or avoid certain irritants to help relieve their condition.
Another cause of shortness of breath is a blood clot in the lung. This clot can block the arteries leading to the lungs, making it difficult to get air into the lungs. It can also lead to pneumonia, a lung infection that can be very dangerous.
Long-term breathing problems may be due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you have COPD, you may need to take medications to reduce the severity of your symptoms and protect your lungs.
Taking a few deep breaths can also be helpful. You should try to breathe in for two counts and then breathe out for three or four counts. This will help clear out the lungs and create more room for fresh air.
You can also ask your doctor for a pulmonary function test. This is a test that helps to determine whether you have a lung disorder. You will be asked about your past medical history, family medical history, and risk factors for developing the condition.
You may need to be admitted to the hospital if you have a lung disorder. You will likely need to undergo a series of tests, including a chest X-ray, a CT scan, or a lung function study.
Nerve and muscle disorders
Various diseases can cause shortness of breath, including nervous system disorders. Muscle dysfunction can result from brain injury, inflammation in the muscles, certain drugs, and diseases.
Neuromuscular disease is a group of conditions affecting the nerves and muscles. The most common of these conditions is myasthenia gravis, which causes weakness of the respiratory muscles. Affected patients may experience trouble breathing, swallowing, and chewing. The disease can be a chronic disorder or acute on a regular basis.
Other neuromuscular disorders include Guillain-Barre syndrome, a disorder of the respiratory center. People with this condition may require invasive mechanical ventilation to breathe. It is believed that the condition is caused by anti-glycolipid antibodies.
The phrenic nerve is a nerve in the nervous system that controls the movement of the diaphragm. This nerve begins in the neck and travels through the chest, and then past the lungs. If it becomes damaged, the diaphragm can be paralyzed. This may happen due to an ischemic stroke, a spinal cord injury, or birth defects.
Acute idiopathic demyelinating polyneuropathy, also known as Guillain-Barre syndrome, is an autoimmune neuropathy. It can affect both the arms and legs. It is caused by an antecedent viral infection that stimulates the immune system.
Peripheral neuropathies are another type of muscle disorder that can result in numbness and pain. They can be caused by a variety of illnesses, including cancer and infections. Typically, the patient will develop symptoms in the arms or legs.
Pneumonia
Having pneumonia is an uncomfortable situation, but it can be a life-threatening disease if left untreated. Symptoms can range from coughing to shortness of breath and lack of appetite. A medical practitioner may recommend antibiotics, nasal decongestants, or oxygen therapy.
There are three main types of pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia is typically caused by bacteria such as klebsiella and staphylococcus. Viral pneumonia, on the other hand, occurs when a virus infects bronchiolar epithelial cells. The resulting inflammation produces an interstitial fluid that is then visible on a chest x-ray.
While there is no single vaccine against pneumonia, it is recommended for certain high-risk groups. Among them are the elderly, pregnant women, and patients with a prior history of respiratory disease. In addition to vaccination, people with pneumonia should also get adequate rest and not smoke or drink alcohol.
There are several clusters of pneumonia cases reported in Wuhan city, Hubei province, China. One of the more intriguing aspects of the outbreak is that there are no known cases of the disease among children.
The best way to ward off this condition is to be well-informed about the diseases, prevention measures, and treatments available. It is also wise to consult a physician before embarking on an unorthodox course of action.
The most common symptoms of pneumonia include coughing, fever, sore throat, shortness of breath, and fatigue. The symptoms of viral pneumonia may be minor, while those of bacterial pneumonia tends to be more serious.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Directory Health Topics. (n.d.). https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics
Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
