Shortness of breath, is a tight feeling in your chest where you may not be able to take a deep breath. This is a symptom that can be linked to many different conditions, like asthma, heart failure and lung disease.
Many different medical disorders can cause shortness
of breath called Dyspnea. The most common causes are lung and heart conditions. Healthy breathing depends on these organs to transport oxygen to your body.
Feeling breathless may be acute, lasting just a few days or less. Other times, it is chronic, lasting longer than three to six months.
Some of the reason responsible for chronic shortness of breathe may be..
Asthma: Narrowing of the airways caused by asthma can make it feel difficult to breathe.
Heart failure: During heart failure, blood can’t fill and empty
the heart properly. This condition may cause fluid to accumulate in your lungs, making it feel difficult to breathe.
Lung disease: Damage to lung tissue from diseases such as tobacco smoking-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can cause dyspnea. Tumors, such as lung cancer, can also cause shortness of breath.
Obesity: Being very overweight can strain your lungs and make it difficult to breath
e.
Poor fitness: Being out of shape from inactivity or illness can cause breathlessness.
How to manage and control shortness of breath?
Stop Smoking-
Exercise: Improving your physical fitness can strengthen your heart and lungs. Better overall health can help you feel less winded during activity. Even with a heart or lung condition, cardiovascular rehabilitation might help. The provider might also suggest that you learn breathing techniques.
Medication: Inhaled drugs called bronchodilators can relax your airways in asthma and in COPD. Medication to relieve pain or anxiety can ease breathlessness.
Oxygen therapy: Receiving extra oxygen through a mask or tube in the nostrils can help you breathe more comfortably. This is only appropriate when the blood oxygen level is measured by a healthcare professional and shown to be low.
Call your doctor if you have severe shortness of breath, or if your breathlessness interferes with your everyday activities. Sometimes, shortness of breath is a sign of a m
edical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Go to the hospital if you still have difficulty breathing after resting for 30 minutes.