Symptoms

Shortness of breath is associated with a myriad of symptoms, depending on what brings it about. These symptoms include:

• Tightening of the chest
• Feeling of suffocation
• Wheezing
• Fatigue
• Fainting sensation
• Difficulty inhaling or exhaling
• Chest pain (on exertion or while breathing)

Causes

Almost any condition affecting the heart or lungs can cause shortness of breath but dyspnea can also be brought about by vascular, neuromuscular and metabolic disease.

If you are ill or your body senses danger, your brain and body may change how you breathe to correct for any chemical imbalances that are detected.

Oftentimes, either one or both of the following occur:

• Your brain detects a change in your breathing pattern.
• Your nerves signal that a change in your breathing pattern is needed to correct any chemical imbalances that you might be experiencing.

The following are the most common causes of shortness of breath:

• Allergic reaction
• Asthma
• Anemia
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Being out of shape (muscle deconditioning)
• Being at a high altitude
• Choking
• Poor air quality’
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Collapsed lung’
• COVID-19
• Low blood pressure
• Lung conditions like lung cancer, emphysema, and bronchiectasis
• Obesity
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Pulmonary embolism
• Respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis
• Strenuous exercise
• Heart conditions, such as cardiomyopathy, heart attack and heart failure

Treatments

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for shortness of breath. Shortness of breath can range from mild to severe.

In mild cases, your shortness of breath may go away simply by changing your position or doing breathing exercises.

In moderate cases, your shortness of breath may go away after taking medications that open the airway (bronchodilators) or reduce inflammation (steroids).

No matter the case, never take shortness of breath lightly, and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you are struggling to breathe.