Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, can be caused by various medical conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, heart failure, and panic attacks. It is important to seek medical attention if shortness of breath persists, as it can indicate serious heart or lung disorders.
Dyspnea can also be less fancifully defined as shortness of breath. In a medical sense, it tends to refer to shortness of breath resulting from a medical condition and not caused by overexertion. Several conditions list shortness of breath as a possible symptom.
Some causes of dyspnea are directly related to the airways. For example, those with asthma, bronchitis, or pneumonia may experience severe shortness of breath, suggesting the need for respiratory support. Additionally, viral illnesses such as RSV and croup can also cause breathing difficulties, as a child struggles between violent coughing fits.
Emphysema, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can all cause shortness of breath and become strident. Dyspnea is usually accompanied by increased difficulty in breathing of the muscles. You will notice the chest rise and fall as the person struggles to breathe. Obstruction or paralysis in the vocal cord region may be indicated by this condition.
Heart conditions can also cause shortness of breath. Congestive heart failure can cause shortness of breath. In some cases, excessive shortness of breath can indicate an impending heart attack, especially when accompanied by chest pain. Babies born with congenital heart defects can rapidly develop shortness of breath due to poor quality oxygen. Shortness of breath in a newborn should always be thoroughly investigated.
Pleurisy, which is swelling of the tissue surrounding the lungs and lining the rib cages, can cause severe wheezing, resulting in difficulty breathing and pain when inhaling. Usually the shortness of breath is out of proportion to the activity. For example, a walk up the stairs might feel like a two-mile run up a hill.
Those with severe skeletal malformations mainly of the spine or rib cage may also experience breathing difficulties. Additionally, injury or paralysis of the spine or rib cage can cause chronic shortness of breath.
Shortness of breath may also be frequently noticed in a person experiencing a panic attack. Those experiencing their first panic attack often mistake the struggle for breath as a much more serious medical symptom such as a heart attack. Usually, it can be fixed by breathing into a paper bag.
Because wheezing can indicate serious medical conditions, it’s important for anyone with it to see a doctor as soon as possible, especially when shortness of breath doesn’t resolve quickly. Especially since prolonged shortness of breath can suggest serious heart or lung disorders, emergency treatment should be sought for those experiencing respiratory problems.
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