Verified By Apollo Pulmonologist August 27, 2023
9883Shortness of breath or dyspnea, also known as air hunger, is an uncomfortable condition when you feel you are not getting enough oxygen into your lungs, making it hard for you to breathe.
Although in most cases, this condition is short-term, if symptoms last for long, you should seek medical attention immediately.
A healthy adult inhales and exhales around 20 times/minute, making it about 30,000 breaths/day. If you have had an intense workout session or got a common cold, these figures are likely to change a bit. However, shortness of breath may indicate severe and chronic health complications otherwise.
Although it is a common health concern, you should not ignore it if it persists. As per the Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education (CME), one in every four individuals visiting a clinic experiences shortness of breath.
You are likely to experience shortness of breath due to overexertion, performing excessive physical activities, or residing in a high-altitude area. It can also indicate an underlying health condition.
You are likely to experience the following symptoms if you have dyspnea:
Many health conditions and concerning scenarios can lead to shortness of breath. Here is a list of some of the most common causes of dyspnea (short-term):
You must ensure not to ignore shortness of breath as it might indicate a more severe problem. Consult your doctor if you experience the following:
If you have dyspnea, you can follow the preventive measure given below to ensure relief while improving your overall health:
The possible complications of shortness of breath include the following:
Your doctor will likely decide on a treatment plan for you, depending on certain crucial factors. It includes your symptoms, underlying conditions, and the severity of the problem.
Some of the widely used treatment options include the following:
Shortness of breath is not an issue you should ignore. It is treatable if the underlying cause is diagnosed early. However, leaving it untreated can lead to life-threatening complications.
If your doctor gets to identify the root cause of the problem, they can help improve the symptoms and treat the conditions. E.g., non-severe asthma, pneumonia, etc.
However, some breathing problems, including COPD, heart failure, or severe asthma, are critical and need immediate medical attention. If medical help reaches you on time, you can improve your outlook and lead a healthy life.
Both hypoxemia and hypoxia are related to the normal oxygen level in human body. Also, as both these terms look alike (spelling and pronunciation-wise), people almost always confuse the two to be different terms with the same meaning. Although hypoxemia and hypoxia can co-occur in your body, these conditions are different. The former means the oxygen content in the blood is low, while the latter means oxygen supply to the bodily tissues is low.
Two of the best positions that can help you find relief when you experience shortness of breath are:
Both these postures allow your airways and body to relax. It makes breathing
easy and less forced. However, make sure to visit your doctor if the problem persists.
The following are the signs and symptoms of low oxygen levels in the blood:
Hypoxemia, when left untreated, can compromise your brain and heart health. It affects your brain, causing seizures and altered consciousness, and heart issues might include congestive heart failure, irregular heartbeats, and heart attack.
The content is verified and reviewd by experienced practicing Pulmonologist to ensure that the information provided is current, accurate and above all, patient-focused
October 25, 2024