Causes of Shortness of Breath

One might get shortness of breath temporarily due to overexertion or due to some allergic reaction, which passes away after a while. However, a person can suffer from breathing problems due to some lung diseases. Other serious causes are due to heart related conditions like heart attack or heart failure. Given below, is a list of the causes of conditions that can lead to shortness of breath.

Allergies: Allergies to certain foodstuffs, grains or weather is one of the reasons for shortness of breath when talking or during other activities.

Asthma: Asthma is another common respiratory disorder which is one of the common causes.

Excessive Intake of Food: Due to overeating one can feel bloated, which makes the stomach press against the diaphragm.

Bronchitis: Bronchitis is inflammation which occurs on the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs. This causes difficulty during breathing.

Chronic Sinusitis: When a person is suffering from this disorder, the cavities around the nasal passages become inflamed and swollen, which interferes with drainage and causes mucus to build up. This causes difficulty while breathing.

Coronary Artery Disease: This condition occurs when the coronary arteries which are the major blood vessels supplying blood, oxygen and nutrients become damaged. Usually build up of cholesterol on the arteries is responsible for this disorder.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Everybody suffers from stress, however if you are suffering from ongoing anxiety disorder which interferes with your day-to-day activities, then you may have generalized anxiety disorder, which is one of the breathing difficulty and chest tightness.

Heart Attack: A heart attack causes shortness of breath and chest tightness, if you are showing these symptoms then contact emergency medical help.

Interstitial Lung Disease: This term is used to describe a group of lung diseases, which cause progressive scarring of lung tissue. One of the symptoms of this disorder is breathing difficulty.

Deconditioning: Lack of exercise or any unusually strenuous physical activity can also lead to shortness of breath while doing normal activities like climbing stairs.

Obesity: Having excessive amount of body fat is a matter of concern, apart from causing shortness of breath it can also risk your chances of having diabetes and high blood pressure.

Lung Cancer: Lung cancer is a type of cancer which starts in the lungs. People who smoke have the greatest risk of developing lung cancer.

Pleurisy: Pleurisy symptoms occur when the double membrane which lines the chest cavity and surrounds each of the lungs become inflamed. Apart from shortness of breath, it also causes a sharp pain when you take a breath.

Pneumonia: Pneumonia is the inflammation of lungs which can be caused by an infection. It can affect people of any age.

Pulmonary Edema: This condition is caused due to excess fluid stored in the lungs. These fluids get collected in the numerous air sacs in the lungs, which make it difficult to breathe.

Pulmonary Fibrosis : This is a serious condition, which can cause progressive scarring of the lung tissue. It stiffens the lungs and makes breathing difficult. The common symptoms of this condition are shortness of breath and a dry cough.

Pulmonary Hypertension: This is a type of high blood pressure which affects only the arteries in the lungs and the right side of your heart. This is a serious illness which requires medical attention.

Tuberculosis: This is a potentially serious infection, which affects the lungs. Many people who become infected with the bacteria causing tuberculosis, don't develop symptoms unless their immunity becomes low.

Heart Failure: Heart failure known as CHF - congestive heart failure, means the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's need. With lifestyle changes and medication, this serious condition can be prevented.

Expanding Uterus: Late in pregnancy, the uterus grows but the lungs don't expand so easily. An Enlarged uterus causes shallower respiration and shortness of breath.

Increased Progesterone Levels: During the first trimester, women start to notice the effects of the hormone progesterone, which causes women to breathe more deeply giving a sense of discomfort.

If you have been suffering from shortness of breath for some time, then it is important that you take an appointment of the doctor, to get yourself diagnosed and learn the exact cause behind shortness of breath. The doctor after examining you thoroughly and after performing the tests will provide you the appropriate treatment according to your condition.

If you are suffering from severe shortness of breath which occurs suddenly and affects your ability to function, then seek emergency medical help. If you are experiencing other symptoms along with shortness of breath, like a heart attack, or chest pressure, fullness or squeezing pain which lasts more than a few minutes, call for emergency medical help.