Overview of symptoms associated with shortness of breath
Shortness of breath varies from person to person depending on the cause and may be accompanied by other symptoms. Signs of dyspnea include:
- Feeling of chest tightness.
- Feeling as if you have to force yourself to take deep breaths intentionally.
- Making an effort to breathe deeply.
- Rapid breathing (tachypnea) or a rapid heart rate (palpitations).
- Wheezing or stridor (noisy breathing).
What does shortness of breath mean?
Dyspnea is the medical term for shortness of breath. It can be described as feeling unable to get enough air (“air hunger”), experiencing chest tightness, or sensing that breathing requires extra effort.
Shortness of breath frequently indicates heart or lung issues, but it can also be caused by conditions such as asthma, allergies, or anxiety. Additionally, intense exercise or a cold can lead to a feeling of breathlessness.
What are the causes of shortness of breath (dyspnea)?
Exercise, illness, and other health issues can cause shortness of breath. The most frequent causes of dyspnea are heart and lung disorders.
Lung and airway conditions
- Asthma.
- Allergies.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis, COVID-19, the flu, or other viral or bacterial infections.
- Pneumonia.
- Inflammation (pleurisy) or fluid buildup (pleural effusion) around your lungs.
- Fluid (pulmonary edema) or scarring (fibrosis) inside your lungs.
- Lung cancer or pleural mesothelioma.
- Pulmonary hypertension, or high blood pressure in your lungs.
- Sarcoidosis.
- Tuberculosis.
- Partial or complete lung collapse, such as pneumothorax or atelectasis.
- Blood clot (pulmonary embolism).
- Choking.
Heart and blood conditions
- Anemia.
- Heart failure.
- Conditions impacting your heart muscle (cardiomyopathy).
- Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
- Inflammation located in or around your heart, such as endocarditis, pericarditis, or myocarditis.
Other conditions
- Anxiety.
- An injury that makes breathing difficult (such as a broken rib).
- Medication: Statins, which lower cholesterol, and beta-blockers, used for high blood pressure, are two drug types that may cause dyspnea.
- Extreme temperatures, whether very hot or very cold.
- A body mass index (BMI) exceeding 30.
- Muscle deconditioning due to lack of exercise.
- Sleep apnea may lead to paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND).
How is dyspnea diagnosed?
To identify the cause of your dyspnea, your doctor will examine you physically, listen to your lungs with a stethoscope, and check your blood pressure. They will also place a sensor on your finger to assess your blood oxygen levels.
They may also do additional testing, including:
- Chest X-ray, CT scans, or other specialized imaging tests can help your provider identify lung issues by visualizing the inside of your chest.
- Blood tests can help your doctor detect anemia or other illnesses.
- Lung function tests measure how effectively you are breathing.
- Cardiopulmonary exercise testing uses a treadmill or stationary bike, as instructed by your provider. These tests assess your oxygen intake and the amount of carbon dioxide you exhale during exercise.
What treatment options are available for shortness of breath?
Your strategy for managing shortness of breath varies depending on its cause. If an underlying medical condition exists, addressing it is essential for alleviating symptoms.
Treatments that can improve your breathing include the following:
- Exercise can strengthen your heart and lungs, helping them work less hard.
- Relaxation techniques and breathing exercises can help manage dyspnea associated with underlying respiratory conditions and reduce anxiety.
- Medication, such as inhaled bronchodilators, relaxes your airways and is prescribed for asthma and COPD. Medications for pain or anxiety relief can also help with breathlessness.
- Oxygen therapy is administered when your blood oxygen levels are too low, using a mask or a nasal tube.
What are some ways to avoid experiencing shortness of breath?
You can reduce the risk of shortness of breath by:
- Work with your provider to create a care plan to manage any underlying conditions and stick to it. This includes which medications to take and when, exercise plans, breathing treatments, and any other treatments recommended by your provider.
- Avoid breathing in chemicals like paint fumes and car exhaust that can irritate your lungs.
- Engaging in breathing exercises or relaxation techniques.
- Avoid smoking.
- Maintaining a healthy weight suited to you.
- Avoid outdoor activities during extreme temperatures, high humidity, or poor air quality. If you have lung disease, monitor ozone alerts, often available in weather forecasts, and stay indoors when air pollution is high.
Feeling Chest Tightness or Breathless?
Living with shortness of breath
The distressing feeling of dyspnea is a form of breathlessness no one wants. If you suddenly experience severe shortness of breath along with symptoms such as nausea, chest pain, or a blue tint to your skin, lips, or nails, seek emergency care immediately. For those with ongoing shortness of breath caused by a medical condition, consult your doctor for symptom management. Although complete relief may not always be possible, minor adjustments can substantially improve your quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to cure dyspnea?
Most people occasionally experience shortness of breath. While you can often treat the underlying cause of dyspnea, it may recur, particularly if an underlying condition exists.
How do heart and lung problems lead to difficulty breathing?
Your heart and lungs work together to deliver oxygen to your blood and tissues while removing carbon dioxide. If either organ malfunctions, you may experience low oxygen levels or high carbon dioxide levels in your blood. In response, your body prompts you to breathe more deeply to intake more oxygen or to expel more carbon dioxide. Activities that increase your body’s oxygen demand, such as strenuous exercise or high-altitude exposure, can also trigger this response. Additionally, your brain may receive signals indicating that your lungs are not functioning correctly, leading you to feel increased breathing effort or a tight sensation in your chest. Causes include lung irritation, restricted lung movement during breathing, or resistance to airflow into the lungs due to blocked or narrow airways.
Who experiences dyspnea?
Shortness of breath is very common because it has many causes. You may be more prone to experiencing it if you do not get enough exercise or have conditions such as anemia (low red blood cell count), anxiety, heart, lung, or breathing issues, a history of smoking, a respiratory infection, or a BMI over 30 (overweight).
When is it advisable to consult a healthcare provider?
Contact a doctor if you experience severe shortness of breath or if your breathlessness disrupts your daily activities. Shortness of breath can signal a medical emergency needing urgent care. If you frequently feel short of breath due to a condition, ask your doctor about potential additional treatments to improve your breathing.
Is dyspnea a life-threatening condition?
Dyspnea alone is usually not dangerous, but shortness of breath can sometimes indicate a serious or life-threatening problem. Seek emergency help immediately if you experience: sudden difficulty breathing; severe shortness of breath (inability to breathe properly); breathlessness lasting more than 30 minutes at rest; bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, or nails (cyanosis); chest pain or heaviness; rapid or irregular heartbeat (heart palpitations); high fever; stridor (a high-pitched noise) or wheezing (a whistling sound) during breathing; or swollen ankles or feet.
