Shortness Of Breath (Dyspnea)

What is shortness of breath?

Shortness of breath (dyspnea) is the feeling that you can’t get enough air into your lungs. It can come on suddenly or develop over time. It’s common during strenuous activity and sometimes worse when you lie down but can also be a sign of an underlying medical problem. You may have other symptoms such as a cough or a fever.

If you are experiencing any of these problems, tell your doctor. If your shortness of breath is sudden or severe, or if you also have chest pains, you should call 911.

Shortness of breath symptoms

When you have shortness of breath, you feel as though you can’t catch your breath. You feel as though you can’t get enough air in your lungs or breathe deeply. You may also feel a tightness in your chest. Symptoms can include:

• Tightness in the chest
• Rapid breathing
• Feeling like you can’t take a deep breath
• Wheezing or noisy breathing

What causes shortness of breath?

Causes may include:

• Exercise or physical exertion
• Lung conditions (asthma, COPD, pneumonia)
• Heart conditions (heart failure, arrhythmia)
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Obesity or poor physical fitness
• Allergic reactions

If you are short of breath with a cough and/or fever, you may have a chest infection or pneumonia. Less common causes of breathing problems are lung cancer, a blood clot in the lungs, air leakage around the lungs, and scarring of the lung tissue.

How is shortness of breath diagnosed?

Your doctor can help find the cause of your breathing problem. They will begin by asking you questions about your symptoms and performing a physical exam. Your doctor will review your medical history and ask about symptoms. They may:

• Listen to your lungs and heart
• Check oxygen levels
• Order blood tests or a chest X-ray
• Recommend lung function or heart tests

To find the cause of your shortness of breath, your doctor may order a chest X-ray. They will also measure the oxygen saturation of your body by placing an oximeter on your finger.

They may also order an electrocardiogram (also called an ECG). During this test, your doctor will have you lie down so your heart can be monitored. The ECG machine creates a picture, or tracing, that shows your heart’s electrical signals.

You may need to have a computerized tomography (CT) scan, which is another type of X-ray. Your doctor may measure the strength of your breathing (called a spirometer) and the oxygen level in your blood. You also may need to have a blood test or specialized lung test called pulmonary function test (PFT).

Can shortness of breath be prevented or avoided?

Some causes can be prevented by:

• Avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke
• Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight
• Treating underlying lung or heart conditions
• Managing allergies and asthma

Whether you can prevent shortness of breath depends on what is causing it. If it is caused by allergies, you may be able to prevent it by identifying your allergy trigger. Once you know what triggers your allergies, you can do your best to avoid it. If your shortness of breath is caused by smoking, stopping can help prevent it. Other causes may not be as easy to avoid. If it is caused by a medical condition such as asthma, inhalers can help.

Shortness of breath treatment

Your doctor will treat the cause of your breathing problem. To help your treatment, if you smoke, you need to stop. Ask your doctor for help. Also, avoid breathing chemicals that can bother your lungs, such as fumes from paint and car exhaust. If your doctor says it’s okay, you should try to get plenty of exercise.

Treatment depends on the cause. Options may include:

• Inhalers or oxygen therapy for lung conditions
• Heart medications or procedures
• Anxiety management techniques
• Lifestyle changes

Living with shortness of breath

It can be scary to have frequent shortness of breath. It can be less scary if you learn to control it. Work with your doctor on a customized control plan. Your doctor may suggest medication, an exercise program, breathing techniques, or a combination of these. In some cases, he or she may recommend supplemental oxygen.