Having trouble breathing? Here’s What You Need to Know

One of the most terrifying feelings you can have is not being able to breathe. It can cause you to go from being calm to full-blown panic in seconds. It’s an understandable response, but it could be a sign that something is wrong.

Knowing when to go to the ER for breathing problems can be the difference between life and death. Below we will cover this topic in further detail and when a trip to the ER is needed.

What Is Shortness of Breath?

Just as the name suggests, shortness of breath is a condition where you cannot get enough air in your lungs. You will feel winded, and you might feel as though you are climbing several flights of stairs or just got done sprinting.

This condition is referred to as dyspnea by medical professionals. Dyspnea is a common symptom of infection, allergy, injury, inflammation, and certain metabolic disorders. As a response to these conditions, your brain may prompt the lungs to increase the breathing frequency to restore your breathing.

Shortness of breath can happen in many ways. For example, it can be abrupt and occur within seconds or over a few days, weeks, or even months.

What Causes Shortness of Breath?

Shortness of breath is a symptom that is linked to several conditions. Some of the most common viruses and infections like COVID-19, pneumonia, COPD, and tuberculosis. It can also be an issue with the pulmonary system, which entails a pulmonary edema or pulmonary embolism.

Keep in mind that you can have shortness of breath because of less severe issues such as intense exercise, pregnancy, or being out of shape.

Inflammation to the bronchial tubes and lungs can cause shortness of breath. Also, injury to the lungs and respiratory tract because of smoking, inhaling toxins, or even having a collapsed lung can cause dyspnea. Allergic reactions can instigate shortness of breath, as is the case with allergic asthma.

We cannot forget that numerous heart conditions will cause low oxygen levels and result in shortness of breath.

Besides the above, the following can also cause shortness of breath:

• Obesity
• Lung cancer
• Pleurisy
• Sarcoidosis
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Anemia
• Myasthenia gravis
• Broken ribs
• Sudden blood loss
• Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)
• Anxiety disorders

Dyspnea Symptoms

If you have dyspnea, you might experience the following symptoms:

• Inability to take deep breaths
• Out of breath
• Hungry for air
• Tightness in your chest
• Suffocation

Dyspnea can either be acute (sudden) or long-lasting (chronic). With acute shortness of breath, it may begin within a few minutes or hours. At times, it is accompanied by other symptoms such as a rash, fever, or cough.

On the other hand, chronic dyspnea may make you feel out of breath when carrying out your daily tasks, such as standing up or walking from your room to another room.

In certain cases, there are individuals whose symptoms may worsen or become better when they change their body positions. Some people who have specific types of heart disease or lung disease may complain that their symptoms have become worse when they lie down flat.

How Is Dyspnea Diagnosed?

When you notice that you have shortness of breath, you need to keep track of your symptoms so that our doctor in our emergency room in Houston can narrow down the cause of the condition.

During your visit, our doctor will listen and examine your chest to ascertain whether you have dyspnea. A lung function test may be carried out to gauge your lung capacity.

We will also carry out the following tests:

• Blood tests
• Pulse oximetry
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Chest X-ray or CT scan

How Is Shortness of Breath Treated?

The treatment of dyspnea is dependent on the cause. For instance, if anxiety disorders cause dyspnea, breathing and relaxation methods can work. On the other hand, if it is an infection or a blood clot, our doctor may prescribe certain drugs.

The Bottom Line

Dyspnea can be a sign of a life-threatening condition. If you need emergency care in Houston, please visit us at Memorial Village ER for treatment.