One of the most unpleasant conditions a person can experience is shortness of breath, or the inability to draw in enough air, a condition physicians refer to as “dyspnea.” Emergency rooms assign urgent priority to patients with breathing difficulty, since life may be at risk if the condition dramatically worsens. Except for asthma patients and others for whom breathing problems are routinely managed with inhalers and other medications, a sudden shortness of breath is alarming not only for the loss of physical control and sense of danger, but also because the number of illnesses of which dyspnea can be a symptom is very large. Self-diagnosis is not recommended. The Mayo Clinic recommends calling 911 immediately if loss of breath comes on suddenly without apparent cause or is accompanied by possible heart attack symptoms as described below. In addition, call a physician if one begins wheezing; experiences undue shortness of breath after exercise, mild exertion, or while at rest; has high fever and/or chills; experiences a cough; or has breathing difficulty and ankle or foot swelling while lying down. Obesity, or being otherwise unaccustomed to exercise, is one common cause of shortness of breath, as is a sudden change in location to high altitudes where the air contains less oxygen (such as flying from sea level to the Himalayas). Following is a list of possible medical causes.
Respiratory Conditions
Obstruction of the airways in the nose, mouth or throat, for instance via the inhaling of a foreign object, can cause shortness of breath. Some respiratory conditions of which breathing problems may be a symptom include anemia, asthma, bronchiectasis, bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, pleural effusion, pleurisy, pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension and tuberculosis.
Heart-Related Conditions
Shortness of breath can be a symptom of cardiac conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart arrhythmia, heart attack (myocardial infarction) or congestive heart failure (CHF), particularly if accompanied by sustained chest pain or pressure, fainting, or nausea and vomiting. Emergency medical help is crucial in the latter instance.
Allergies
According to the National Institutes of Health, allergic reactions can cause shortness of breath. Such reactions can be many, including allergies to dust, dander, mold, pollen, foods (including peanuts, chicken, eggs, milk and wheat), insect bites or stings, or medications. A person stung by a bee or wasp who is suddenly experiencing shortness of breath may be in highly critical condition and should call 911 immediately.
Mental Factors and Additional Possibilities
Shortness of breath may be a symptom for persons suffering from heavy stress, generalized anxiety disorder, anger or fear. Those who suffer from a hiatal hernia may have difficulty breathing, as can persons with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
