Introduction

Dyspnea is the term doctors use to describe breathing trouble. It can feel like you are struggling to get air, or it might feel like your chest is tight or like breathing takes extra effort.

Who can Experience Dyspnea?

Breathing problems are pretty common and can occur for many reasons. However, some people might experience it more frequently if they have certain medical conditions like:

• Low red blood cell count (anaemia)
• Feeling anxious
• Issues with the heart, lungs, or breathing
• Past smoking habit
• Respiratory infections
• Having a BMI over 30 (being overweight)

What are the Symptoms of Dyspnea?

People experience shortness of breath in different ways based on its cause. Here are some common signs of dyspnea:

• A tight feeling in the chest
• The sensation that breathing takes effort
• Struggling to take a full breath
• Fast breathing (tachypnea) or a racing heart (palpitations)
• Noisy breathing, like wheezing or stridor

What Health Issues Cause Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea)?

Heart disease, lung problems, and other health issues can lead to shortness of breath.

A. Lung and Breathing Conditions

• Asthma
• Allergies
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Respiratory problems such as bronchitis, COVID-19, flu, or other infections caused by bacteria or viruses
• Pneumonia
• Pleurisy (lung inflammation) or pleural effusion (fluid buildup near the lungs)
• Conditions like pulmonary oedema (fluid in the lungs) or lung scarring (pulmonary fibrosis)
• Different cancers, like lung cancer or pleural mesothelioma
• Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs)
• Sarcoidosis
• Tuberculosis
• A lung that has air or is collapsed (pneumothorax or atelectasis).
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)
• Choking

B. Heart and Blood Problems

• Low red blood cell levels (anaemia)
• Weakness in the heart's ability to pump blood (heart failure)
• Issues impacting the heart's muscle (cardiomyopathy)
• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• Swelling in or near the heart (endocarditis, pericarditis, or myocarditis)

C. Additional Health Issues

• Anxiety or nervousness
• Breathing trouble caused by injuries such as a broken rib.
• Certain medicines: Cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins and blood pressure medications like beta-blockers can lead to shortness of breath.
• Very hot or very cold weather
• A BMI higher than 30
• Weak muscles from not staying active
• Sleep apnea may trigger a sudden breathing problem called paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND)

How Doctors Identify Dyspnea?

• To find out what’s behind your shortness of breath, your doctor will conduct a physical exam. Doctors will listen to your lungs using a stethoscope and measure your blood pressure. A small device on your finger will assess how much oxygen is in your blood.
• They might run a few more tests like:
• Chest X-rays, CT scans, or other specific imaging tools
• Bloodwork
• Tests to measure how well your lungs work
• Exercise tests to assess heart and lung performance

Treatment

How someone manages shortness of breath depends on its underlying cause. To relieve symptoms, it's important to treat the medical condition that's behind them. Options to help with breathing include:

• Exercise: Regular exercise strengthens your heart & lungs. This makes them work less to pump blood or take in oxygen.
• Relaxation techniques: Your doctor may suggest breathing exercises or ways to relax.
• Medication: Bronchodilators help open up your airways and are useful for asthma or COPD. Medications for anxiety or pain can make breathing feel less difficult.
• Oxygen therapy: If your oxygen levels drop too low, your doctor might suggest supplemental oxygen. It gets delivered straight to you using a tube in your nose or a mask.

Prevention

You can take the following steps to avoid trouble with breathing:

• Work with your doctor to develop a plan to manage your health issues and make sure you follow it. This plan may include which medicines to take and when, exercises, breathing therapies, or other treatments your provider suggests.
• Stay away from exposure to chemicals that could harm your lungs like car exhaust or paint fumes.
• Try relaxation methods or breathing exercises to improve how you breathe.
• Quit smoking and avoid starting if you don’t already smoke.
• Maintain a weight level that suits your health.
• If you have lung problems, check for ozone warnings often listed with weather reports, and avoid going out when the air quality is bad.