Shortness of Breath

Difficulty in breathing or breathlessness is scientifically called dyspnea. The other name given to this condition is air hunger. Most people have suffered from this condition at least once in their lifetime. However, if the condition is recurring, then it is best not to neglect the condition and have it looked at by a health care professional. Often different tests will have to be carried out to find out the root cause of this condition. This condition may be caused due to an infection or also due to problem in the lungs or heart. Along with shortness of breath the person may also suffer from other symptoms like fatigue, stress, etc., which will also have to be noted.

Causes of Shortness of Breath

Apart from cardiac and respiratory disorders, there are causes of this condition as well. It is important to note, that when one talks about breathlessness, it is either reduction in the quantity of air being supplied to the lungs or it can be due to inhalation of higher quantity of carbon dioxide and paucity of oxygen, which is giving rise to the condition.

• Cardiac Problem: Different heart problems like irregular heart beats, blockage in the heart, fluid accumulation around the heart can cause breathlessness.
• Respiratory Problem: When the air ways are blocked, either due to an infection or due to a foreign body, it causes breathlessness. If the lung passages are constricted either due to a chronic or an acute condition, the person may suffer from shortness of breath. Tumor or clots in and around the lungs can also trigger the condition.
• Damaged Air Sacs: Damage to the air sacs in the lungs, due to a lung infection, causes the lungs to be less efficient at getting oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide out. The body adjusts to the change to a certain extent, however, in case of a sudden change in normal breathing pattern, the lungs cannot always keep up.
• Excess Mucus in Lungs: Due to excess production of mucus in the lungs, it blocks the airways, which in turn causes air hunger, as air cannot move around freely in the lungs and there is less space for air in the lungs.
• Anemia: When the hemoglobin count in the body reduces it results in less quantity of oxygen been circulated in the body. This is due to drop in the number of red blood cells in the body, which are the carriers of oxygen in the body.
• Anxiety and Stress: When a person is stressed out or is anxious, it prevents the person from taking deep, full breaths. Fatigue is also known to cause this condition. People may relate this condition to some health problems, however, when the stress or anxiety go away, the person will not suffer from shortness of breath.
• Other Causes: Other than the causes mentioned above, smoking cigarettes, pollution, inhaling chemicals, etc. can also give rise to shortness of breath. If a person is obese, it is possible that the person will find it rather difficult to breathe.

Symptoms of Breathlessness

Other than shortness of breath, there are other symptoms, which a person will have to be on the look for. These symptoms often prove to be of help in determining the exact cause of the condition. The symptoms to look out for include:

• Severe cough • Sputum yellow, green, red in color • Sneezing a number of times • Nasal congestion • Wheezing • Rib retraction • Nasal flaring

• Rapid breathing • Discoloration of nails • Pain around the chest • Arrhythmia • Loss of consciousness • Swelling in different parts of the body • Bronchitis

• Sweating • Unusual fatigue • Pain radiating to jaw or neck • Fever • General discomfort • Worsening of asthma • Heart palpitations

• Cold • Allergies • Disturbed sleep • Change in lung function • Feeling fatigued while working out • Heart Attack • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Treating Breathlessness

When a person is experiencing shortness of breath, it is important to relax and try to have a few deep breaths. This will help in relieving the condition up to a certain extent. Often shallow breathing causes shortness of breath, because the oxygen levels in the body drop down considerably. There are a number of breathing exercises, which will prove to be of help in keeping this condition under control. De-conditioning the breath also goes a long way in treating the condition. In case of nasal congestion, a decongestant or taking steam will prove to be of help in remedying the problem. Drinking sufficient quantities of fluid helps in relieving nasal congestion.

It is best to consult a health care professional, if the problem persists for a longer period. Depending on the symptoms accompanying breathlessness, the health care professional will be in a better place to decide the right line of treatment. Self treating the condition can prove to be fatal, therefore, should not be attempted.