Breathing, the inspiration and expiration of air from the lungs, involves a number of tissues. Breath is inhaled through the nose or mouth, travels down the larynx and into the tubes of the lungs, which are called the bronchi and bronchioles. Air then moves throughout the bronchi into air sacs called alvioli, which transfer oxygen from the air into the blood to allow oxygenation of tissues, and transfers carbon dioxide from the blood into the air in the lungs, which is then exhaled. Difficulty breathing is a common symptom of a number of disorders, and may indicate the presence of a serious disease.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, leading to inflammation and swelling of the bronchi, narrowing the airways and leading to difficulty breathing. Patients with bronchitis will also cough up phlegm, as the inflammation increases mucus production in the lungs. According to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, there are multiple forms of bronchitis; acute, short-term bronchitis; chronic, long-term bronchitis;infectious bronchitis which is due to viruses or bacteria; and irritative bronchitis which is caused by environmental factors.
Bronchitis can be treated using bronchodilators to widen the airways and facilitate breathing, as well as antibiotic or antiviral medications to treat infectious bronchitis.
Pulmonary Embolism
A pulmontary embolism is a blood clot within the lung that impairs lung functioning. The blood clot can develop anywhere in the body and travel through the bloodstream into the lungs. Since the lung contains many very small blood vessels, called capillaries, blood clots can often become trapped in the vessels of the lungs. The embolism cuts off blood flow to parts of the lung, leading to tissue death. Tissue death leads to painful and labored breathing, as well as coughing.
Patients at risk for developing blood clots should stay active to promote blood flow, according to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Patients may also wish to take blood thinning medications to prevent the development of clots. Once an embolism has occurred, the patient may need surgery to repair the lung.
Lung Cancer
Difficulty breathing accompanied by chest pay may indicate the presence of lung cancer. Lung cancer can develop within the bronchi or bronchioles, or within the alveoli of the lungs. The growth of a tumor within the bronchi can narrow and eventually block the airways leading to difficulty breathing, and tumors anywhere in the lung decrease the air capacity of the lungs, causing difficulty breathing. Lung cancers also put pressure on other tissues within the chest cavity, leading to chest pain and painful breathing.
Lung cancer can be diagnosed by imaging the chest for masses, and tissue biopsies to confirm cancer. Once diagnosed, lung cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or other targeted therapies.
