Shortness of breath has several causes. The underlying cause has to be addressed for you to get the help you need. Exploring the reasons it is happening with your physician is the first step. You may need testing, medication, surgery or lifestyle changes to help shortness of breath, depending on the cause. Sudden onset should be viewed as a medical emergency, and should be treated at onset at the hospital. In all instances, feelings of shortness of breath require a medical evaluation.
Address the Cause
Step 1
See your doctor. Shortness of breath has many underlying causes, including heart and lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, congestive heart failure and COPD. Shortness of breath can be an early symptom that you might have a heart attack in the future. Lung cancer, pulmonary abscesses and benign tumors, infections, inhalation of toxins, heart rhythm disturbances, fluid in the abdomen, pulmonary artery hypertension, anemia, collapsed lung, anxiety, obesity, airway obstruction from allergy, and pulmonary embolism (blood clot) all contribute to difficulty breathing. Diseases of the muscles, such as muscular dystrophy, ALS and stroke are included in the list of ailments that produce trouble breathing.
Step 2
Take medications, and engage in recommended testing and treatment options. If shortness of breath has a physiologic underlying cause, use your medications and take advantage of treatment options related to heart disease, lung disease, chronic or acute infections, or other physical ailments. Keep an open dialogue with your health-care provider about ongoing symptoms and treatments.
Step 3
Lose weight, if needed. Excess weight, especially around the middle, inhibits lung expansion. Once you understand there is no other physical cause for shortness of breath, obtain clearance from your doctor to engage in a supervised exercise program. Begin a dietary program for weight loss. Seek nutritional counseling to help your efforts.
Step 4
Practice deep breathing exercises. Enroll in a program, or download or purchase instructional videos that teach deep breathing. Learning to use the muscles that help breathing can help with shortness of breath. Many of us do not take time to breathe deeply. Desk jobs and sedentary lifestyles decondition the body, including our muscles of respiration. Learn how to use the abdomen to breathe and fully expand the lungs to strengthen the muscles between the ribs. If you have lung disease, breathing exercises can help with episodes of shortness of breath, and can facilitate cough and clearance of mucous from the airways.
Step 5
Exercise regularly. Decreased exercise tolerance can cause of shortness of breath when we try to perform activities we are not used to doing. Shortness of breath with heavy exercise is normal. Deconditioning limits us to only light exercise before breathing becomes harder. Increased fitness leads to better cardiovascular tone and heart rate response, which in turn lowers the rate of oxygen consumption.
Control Your Environment
Step 1
Consider a HEPA filter or air purifier in the home. Avoid occupational exposure of respiratory toxins. Environmental pollutants can contribute to shortness of breath and inflammatory chronic lung conditions. Take heed of local air quality warnings.
Step 2
Have your home tested for mildew. Mold allergies are often a hidden danger that can cause shortness of breath. Consider allergy testing.
Step 3
Anxiety, acute and chronic, can cause shortness of breath. An increased heart rate demands that we use more oxygen. Our heart rate increases when we are anxious. Hyperventilating (breathing too fast) causes a buildup of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, leading to more shortness of breath. Exercise, anti-anxiety medications, meditation, guided imagery, deep breathing, pain control, yoga, massage, professional therapy, spending time with friends and family, and laughter are all beneficial for controlling anxiety. Eliminate stress from your life. Consider a job change and downsizing for a more simple existence.
Step 4
Stop smoking. Doing so can improve shortness of breath in all instances.
Step 5
Pay attention to what triggers shortness of breath. Write it down to discuss with your health-care provider. More information is better when it comes to targeting the cause and finding help for shortness of breath.
