A tough workout can occasionally leave you tired and panting when you are done, but having trouble breathing during exercise can be scary, frustrating and might be a signal that you need to stop. Gasping for breath during your workout could be caused by a variety of reasons, from asthma to a heart condition.
Asthma
Asthma is the most common cause of exercise-induced shortness of breath in children and adolescents, according to Medical News Today. Exercise-induced asthma occurs when your airways narrow when you breathe hard, fast and deeply during exercise. Different amounts of exercise can cause asthma in different people, and common triggers include exercising in cold and dry air, exercising in places with dirty air, and exercising while you are sick. If you suspect you are suffering from exercise-induced asthma, consult your doctor.
Reaching the Limits of Exercise Capability
While asthma is the most common reason for shortness of breath, a 2005 study in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology revealed another far more obvious reason for having trouble breathing during exercise. In the study, the most common cause of exercise-induced shortness of breath in 74 patients was simply that they had reached their natural limits for exercising, and their shortness of breath was an entirely normal response to vigorous exercise. The National Institutes of Health agrees that in some circumstances, a small degree of breathing difficulty might be normal, especially for people who do not exercise regularly.
Illness
Exercising while ill is usually fine if your signs and symptoms are all "above the neck" -- such as a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing or minor sore throat, according to MayoClinic.com. However, below the neck symptoms such as chest congestion or a hacking cough could lead to trouble breathing; MayoClinic.com advises that you should not exercise with such symptoms. If you attempt to exercise at your normal intensity when you have more than a simple cold, you could risk it leading to a more serious illness such as pneumonia.
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia, or heart palpitations, are heartbeat sensations that you suddenly become aware of because they feel like your heart is "pounding" or "racing." These symptoms commonly occur during exercise, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Palpitations might be a sign of a more serious heart problem if you also feel dizzy, confused, light-headed and are having trouble breathing. If you experience these symptoms, call your doctor's office right away.
