If you are having difficulty breathing while you are exercising or shortly thereafter, it may not be anything to be concerned about but you should talk with your doctor anyway. There are different reasons why you may have breathing problems accompanying exercising, from a simple cold to a more serious condition such as heart disease. Identifying the cause of your breathing difficulties can help you exercise more effectively or design an exercise program catered to your breathing.
Identification
Breathing problems can take the form of uncomfortable or difficulty breathing, breathlessness or not getting enough air. Wheezing may occur with breathing problems. Difficulty in breathing may be the result of a block in your air passages in your nose, mouth or throat. Heart disease, asthma, anxiety, bronchitis, allergies, pneumonia, obesity or even high altitudes can cause breathing problems. A cold with nasal congestion or being out of shape -- engaging in strenuous exercise when you normally do not exercise -- could be circumstances in which a problem with breathing could occur, according to MedlinePlus.
Significance
As you breathe in, oxygen from the air enters your lungs, which consist of tubes and air sacs. If you are breathing properly, you are using your diaphragm, along with the muscles of your ribcage. As oxygen goes through your lungs, it enters the blood by way of blood vessels that encase the air sacs. If your brain is not getting enough oxygen, it signals the lungs to work harder. Often other muscles are used in conjunction with your lungs when you are having trouble breathing, such as your neck and shoulders, according to the Better Health Channel website.
Effect
Avoiding exercise if you can not breathe well can actually reduce your lung capacity further. Consult with your doctor to discuss an exercise program. Starting slowly can help build up your lungs and increase your breathing ability. Walking short distances and eventually increasing to longer distances is a good beginning. Stretching and weight training help build and tone your muscles so oxygen can effectively reach your muscles. Yoga and tai chi use breathing techniques with physical poses to improve posture and balance.
Considerations
Breathing exercises are a good way to build lung capacity. Relaxed deep breathing and prolonged breathing out are suggested by the Better Health Channel website as ways to breathe properly. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth with your abdomen. For prolonged breathing, exhale longer to expel any trapped air.
