Feeling breathless or dyspnea is experienced by people who have different health conditions. Common signs of breathing problems include discomfort when breathing, chest tightness and inability to draw inadequate air. Breathing problems consist of the distressing feeling of not being able to meet your body’s need for air because your respiratory system lacks the ability to fulfill this need.
Acute and Chronic Breathing Problems
Feeling breathless can be identified in terms of how quickly it occurs. Acute breathing problems develop within a short amount of time while chronic breathing problems develop gradually. People are usually aware of becoming short of breath when they exercise or exert themselves beyond their normal capabilities.
Shortness of breath can also occur with minimal or no physical exertion. If you become breathless suddenly this may be a sign of a health problem. There are different reasons for sudden and chronic breathing difficulties. Being aware of what causes your shortness of breath makes it possible to get proper treatment and regulate it.
When you need Medical Assistance
- You should get in touch with a medical professional immediately if your breathing problem occurs unexpectedly because a problem may be affecting your heart or airways. A doctor will be able to evaluate your condition. Regardless of whether your breathing problem is caused by anxiety or another condition, you need to make sure that it is dealt with.
- If you have experienced breathlessness for a significant amount of time, they should be addressed. This is because they may be linked to a long-term medical problem such as asthma and COPD. Such conditions need to be managed accordingly.
- Some of the information that a doctor may require form you during assessment includes when the breathing problems started, the triggers and whether or not different activities affect your ability to breathe. The doctor may also need to find out if you feel pain when breathing, check if you have a chronic cough and whether certain positions make your breathing more difficult.
- When you feel like you are gasping for air or struggling to breathe, this can be a traumatizing experience. The good news is that your doctor will be able to manage your situation and give you the treatment you need.
Causes of Breathing Problems
- Asthma can cause sudden breathing problems when your airways are narrow and more phlegm is produced. This causes coughing and wheezing as well as shortness of breath because air will not move with ease through your airways. For asthma attacks, medicine is required to ease your lungs and relieve your breathing problem.
- Pneumonia is an infection that can cause breathing difficulties and coughing. Treatment and medication are used to deal with the infection, which subsequently gets rid of symptoms such as shortness of breath. If you have been diagnosed with COPD, breathing difficulties indicate that the condition is worsening.
- Heart problems may cause breathing difficulties that can serve as a warning sign for heart attacks. When the heart is no longer able to pump sufficient blood in your body, water builds up inside your lungs and inhibits breathing. Different medical solutions and lifestyle changes can help to effectively relieve breathing problems.
A doctor will be able to evaluate your condition, because as you know they have undergone lots of tests, like the UCAT test to get where they are.
Bio
Jane Brown has worked as a nurse for more than 8 years. She spends her free time swimming and playing tennis. She is also a great writer in health related topics. Click on http://www.breathefree.com/ for more details. .