Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is shortness of breath (dyspnea)?
- How common is this condition?
- Signs and symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of shortness of breath?
- Causes and Risk Factors
- What are the causes of shortness of breath?
- 1. Acute dyspnea
- 2. Chronic dyspnea
- What increases my risk of developing this condition?
- Diagnosis
- How is this condition diagnosed?
- 1. Emergency physical examination
- 2. Medical history
- 3. Certain health tests
- Treatment
- How to deal with shortness of breath?
- 1. Medicines
- 2. Surgical or surgical procedures
- Prevention
- How to prevent shortness of breath?
- Complications
- What are the dangers of complications from shortness of breath?
Definition
What is shortness of breath (dyspnea)?
Shortness of breath, or what in medical parlance is called dyspnea, is a medical condition in which a person has difficulty breathing. Some people who experience this condition describe it as a sensation that makes the body feel like it needs more air, the chest narrows, and feels helpless.
Dyspnea or shortness of breath is an uncomfortable, even painful condition. Usually, this is a symptom or sign of a disease or health problem.
Not only that, doing certain activities can also cause shortness of breath, such as exercising too hard and being at high altitudes.
This condition can be divided into 2 types, namely acute and chronic types. Acute dyspnea occurs when difficulty breathing occurs suddenly and for a short time. Meanwhile, dyspneakronis usually occurs over a long period of time and may recur frequently.
If you experience signs and symptoms of shortness of breath, especially if the condition comes suddenly and is severe, consult a doctor immediately.
How common is this condition?
Shortness of breath or dyspnea is a fairly common condition. According to the Cleveland Clinic, about 25 percent of patients who see a doctor have this symptom.
Signs and symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of shortness of breath?
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) is a medical condition with signs and symptoms that vary from person to person. However, one of the hallmarks of this condition is difficulty breathing normally, as if the body is like a lack of air.
These are common signs and symptoms of shortness of breath:
- shortness of breath
- rapid, shallow breathing (unable to take deep breaths)
- inhaling feels heavier and takes more energy
- breath slows down
- uncomfortable, even painful
You may also experience more severe symptoms, such as:
- pressure, heaviness, or tightness in the chest
- feels weak, even suffocating
- can't breathe at all
Make sure you seek medical help immediately when someone or you experience any of the following signs:
- the sound of breathing was louder
- the face looks in pain or distress
- enlarged nostrils
- protruding abdomen or chest
- face looks pale
- lips look blue
Causes and Risk Factors
What are the causes of shortness of breath?
One common cause of shortness of breath or dyspnea, especially of a mild nature, is exercise. This is common in healthy people without severe health problems.
Usually, this condition will improve in a short time and you can breathe again a few minutes later.
Dyspnea can also occur due to certain diseases or health problems. The following are the types of shortness of breath or dyspnea based on the cause:
1. Acute dyspnea
There are several health problems or diseases that cause sufferers to experience shortness of breath suddenly and in a short time. Some of the causes underlying acute dyspnea include:
- asthma
- pneumonia
- panic attack (panic attack)
- worry (anxiety)
- aspiration (there is food or other substances that enter the lungs)
- inhalation of a substance that can get trapped into the respiratory tract
- allergy
- stomach acid reflux (GERD)
- trauma or injury to the chest
- pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs)
- pleural effusion (buildup of fluid in the tissues outside the lung)
- pneumothorax
2. Chronic dyspnea
Dyspnea or chronic shortness of breath is a condition that gets worse over time. When this condition gets worse, you may even find it difficult to breathe when doing activities that are not too strenuous, such as climbing stairs.
Some of the diseases and health conditions that can cause chronic dyspnea are:
- heart problems, such as heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and arrhythmias
- lung problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary hypertension, and lung cancer
- obesity or overweight
- other chronic diseases, such as cancer, kidney failure, or anemia
You are more likely to experience chronic shortness of breath from heart or lung disease. This is because these conditions affect the supply or levels of oxygen in the body. The body needs more oxygen when suffering from certain diseases, so you can have difficulty breathing.
In addition, breathing difficulties can also be affected by your body position, especially if you have heart problems. This is because certain postures, such as bending over, can change the direction of air flow in your body.
What increases my risk of developing this condition?
Risk factors are conditions that can increase a person's risk of developing certain diseases or health problems.
The following are risk factors that can increase a person's risk of experiencing shortness of breath:
- elderly people
- babies and toddlers
- people who have severe or chronic disease
- people with breathing or lung problems
- women who are pregnant
- people who are overweight or obese
Diagnosis
How is this condition diagnosed?
Dyspnea is a condition that can be checked by knowing your breathing pattern. The goal of a diagnosis is to find out what is the root cause of your difficulty breathing.
Generally, making a diagnosis of shortness of breath is carried out in the following 3 stages:
1. Emergency physical examination
Usually, someone who is experiencing shortness of breath will be examined in an emergency setting. You may not be able to answer your usual medical examination questions.
The doctor and the medical team will check the respiratory rate, heart rate and pulse rate. If you have a heart attack, the medical team will probably check it with an electrocardiogram (EKG). You may also need to be checked with a chest or lung x-ray if your doctor finds pneumonia or other lung problems.
2. Medical history
When your condition is more stable, the medical team will ask questions about your medical history. The doctor will find out how often shortness of breath appears, as well as how long it lasts.
In addition, the doctor will also ask if you have certain allergies, actively smoke, or other habits that might affect your ability to breathe.
3. Certain health tests
Your doctor may decide you need to undergo other medical tests to find out how your lungs are functioning. Medical tests can also more accurately find the underlying cause of your shortness of breath.
Some of the types of medical tests that may be done are:
- blood check
- image of the lungs
- spirometry test
- pulmonary function tests
- echocardiogram
- test with treadmill
- peak flow test or peak flow meter
Treatment
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor for more information.
How to deal with shortness of breath?
Shortness of breath is treated in various ways. Treatment is generally done so that you can return to normal breathing, and restore oxygen levels in the body if possible.
Here are some steps the medical team has taken to treat shortness of breath:
1. Medicines
Not all types of shortness of breath are given the same medication. Your doctor may prescribe medication according to the main cause of your difficulty breathing.
If you have trouble breathing due to an asthma attack or COPD, your doctor will prescribe bronchodilators or steroids. These drugs function to dilate the respiratory tract and reduce inflammation.
It's different if your dyspnea is caused by a bacterial infection, such as pneumonia. In these conditions, the doctor may prescribe antibiotic drugs.
2. Surgical or surgical procedures
In some cases, shortness of breath caused by chest injury or pneumothorax may require a surgical or surgical procedure.
For pneumothorax cases, the medical team will install tube or a tube in the chest to reduce pressure from a pneumothorax or fluid buildup in the lungs.
If the difficulty breathing is caused by blood clots in the lungs, the medical team will perform an operation to remove excess blood clots. In addition, you may also be given blood thinners intravenously.
Prevention
How to prevent shortness of breath?
If you experience frequent shortness of breath, or if you are diagnosed with chronic difficulty breathing, there's no need to worry. There are various ways that can help prevent this condition from occurring at a later time, such as:
- Avoid smoking
- Stay away from exposure to pollution or allergens (allergens)
- Try not to get too hot or cold
- Exercise regularly
- Take medicines according to doctor's directions
- Cope with stress and burden of thoughts appropriately
Complications
What are the dangers of complications from shortness of breath?
Breathing conditions that are severe enough can cause a person to become deprived of oxygen and lose consciousness.
In fact, in more severe cases, long-term lack of oxygen can lead to hypoxia (low oxygen levels in body tissues) as well as hypoxemia (low blood oxygen levels).
These conditions run the risk of causing other, much more serious health problems, such as brain damage and kidney failure.
If you have any questions, please consult your doctor to better understand the best solution for you.
