shortness of breath

shortness of breath should not initially be confused with shortness of breath (dyspnea) and hyperventilation, which are independent symptoms, although shortness of breath, hyperventilation and shortness of breath may also be related. As the name itself aptly describes, normal breathing is shortened when you are short of breath and is usually due to illness.

What is shortness of breath?

When they are short of breath, it is difficult for the person concerned to take in enough oxygen through breathing to supply the body, as breathing is very short and faltering.

Shortness of breath is a significant impairment of normal breathing, which is sometimes associated with severe pain for the person concerned.

When they are short of breath, it is difficult for the person concerned to take in enough oxygen through breathing to supply the body, as breathing is very short and faltering. The consequence of this undersupply is, in addition to a reduction in physical performance, also a sometimes considerable psychological burden, since the shortness of breath can trigger the fear of suffocation.

Most of those affected are elderly. The shortness of breath occurs in various degrees of severity. The causes of the disease are many. It can be treated with respiratory therapy, medication, and surgery.

causes

The causes of shortness of breath are complex. Chronic and acute diseases of the bronchi and lungs are mostly responsible for shortness of breath. Heart diseases are also not a rare cause. However, rheumatic, orthopedic or neurological diseases are less common and are indirect causes of shortness of breath.

In the course of the increasing obesity of our western civilization, shortness of breath can also often appear in obesity or overweight. This cause is not harmless and should be treated or fought appropriately.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for lung and bronchial ailments

Diseases with this symptom

• bronchial asthma
• anemia
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

• Obesity
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Pulmonary edema

• Myocarditis
• Ornithosis
• leukemia

Diagnosis & course

Since the causes of shortness of breath are mostly pathological, they should always be examined by a doctor. Depending on the suspected trigger, different diagnostic methods are used, such as checking lung and heart function, x-ray examinations and ultrasound.

Basically, the symptoms are more pronounced when the patient is put into physical strain from rest. If intense physical exertion is initially necessary to trigger the shortness of breath, in the advanced stage even minor exertion is sufficient.

The normal breathing activity is restricted, as a result of which the organism is no longer adequately supplied with the vital oxygen. The patient's performance is significantly reduced. The shortness of breath is often associated with pain and in some cases can cause panic in the person concerned.

Complications

Shortness of breath is usually associated with complications such as decreased performance, painful breathing, and panic attacks. The permanent lack of oxygen can lead directly to tiredness and circulatory problems with physical symptoms such as bluish lips and sunken eye sockets. In general, shortness of breath burdens the entire organism and therefore requires rapid treatment.

In the long term, being short of breath increases the risk of cardiovascular problems and lung abscesses (in bacterial diseases). If the shortness of breath is treated too late or inadequately, it can also lead to chronic shortness of breath with further symptoms. At first, performance continues to decline and there is severe exhaustion, often accompanied by depression and anxiety disorders.

Complications from treatment are unlikely. Depending on the underlying ailment and the constitution of the patient, therapeutic measures such as breathing gymnastics initially lead to increased fatigue and, due to the overexertion of the breathing muscles, often dizziness and sharp pain in the lungs. These complaints usually go away in the course of treatment. If there is an undetected underlying condition such as a heart or lung disease, appropriate treatment methods can also lead to a collapse.

When should you go to the doctor?

Since shortness of breath, dyspnea, can hide various causes and these are not always harmless, every form of shortness of breath should be diagnosed as soon as possible. The subjective experience of shortness of breath varies from person to person and depends on various factors.

Acute, dramatic shortness of breath is often associated with subjective accompanying symptoms such as fear or a feeling of suffocation. With the most common cause of shortness of breath, heart failure, those affected go to the doctor far too late because the symptoms develop gradually over a long period of time. If you suffer from shortness of breath when climbing stairs for the first time and this symptom disappears again, you usually do not see a doctor. If the underlying disease worsens, the symptom of shortness of breath will appear more frequently and at shorter intervals.

For example, when walking slowly or with little physical exertion, such as putting on or taking off clothes. Those affected should already consult a doctor and under no circumstances wait until the shortness of breath occurs at rest. Then the damage to the heart and lungs is usually so advanced that it is irreversible. Shortness of breath is a symptom that requires clarification at any stage, which is why it should always be diagnosed and treated by a doctor early on.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

Shortness of breath should always be examined by a doctor, as the causes are usually pathological.

If the cause of shortness of breath is a lung or respiratory disease, the function of the lungs should be checked extensively. With the help of pulse oximetry, the oxygen saturation in the blood can also be measured at rest and during exercise.

X-ray examinations of the chest or the respiratory tract and the lungs are also part of the modern examination standard. Respiratory gymnastics is usually the most promising as an additional treatment measure.

If the cause is due to a heart disease, numerous examinations are also necessary here to diagnose shortness of breath. The function of the heart should be checked and, if necessary, an exact diagnosis should be made using X-ray diagnostics. Your doctor will give you more detailed information about further steps (possibly cardiac catheter). Cardiac gymnastics and training therapy are often used as additional therapy.

If the cause of shortness of breath can be found in the gastrointestinal area, ultrasound diagnostics (sonography) of the abdominal cavity can provide information. A gastrointestinal mirror (endoscopy) may also be necessary. If the cause is obesity or overweight, the medical advice on further diet and exercise therapy must be followed.

If the shortness of breath is due to neurological, rheumatic or orthopedic causes, the attending physician should possibly consult other specialists for diagnosis and treatment.

Outlook & forecast

Shortness of breath can also occur in healthy people and does not necessarily have to lead to further complications or complaints. In many cases, shortness of breath occurs mainly in stressful or panicked situations. Therefore, it is often associated with panic attacks or sweating. In these cases, the shortness of breath disappears when the situation and the patient's circulation have normalized. There are no further complaints or complications.

However, the shortness of breath weakens the organism and reduces performance. The patient feels tired and exhausted and is unable to perform heavy work. The shortness of breath can also have a negative effect on the heart. If, in addition to the shortness of breath, a stinging in the heart is felt, a doctor must be called urgently, as this could be a stroke. Various complications can arise here, which in the worst case can lead to death.

In the case of aspiration, rapid help is also necessary so that the body does not suffer from a lack of oxygen for too long. If the shortness of breath persists, a visit to the doctor is also necessary. Treatment is usually based on the underlying disease and in most cases is successful.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for lung and bronchial ailments

prevention

Living without smoking is arguably the best way to prevent shortness of breath. Furthermore, the well-known means of physical activity in the fresh air, as well as a healthy and balanced diet, are always guarantees for a healthier and longer life.

You can do that yourself

Shortness of breath can be relieved by various measures and home remedies. First of all, breathing training in the form of yoga or breathing therapy is recommended; A straight posture or a change to the goalkeeper or coachman position can reduce acute shortness of breath and improve breathing flow quickly and without medication.

Yawning is also particularly effective as it stimulates oxygen production and naturally regulates breathing. In addition, sufficient exercise helps against breathing difficulties. Regular exercise strengthens the cardiovascular system and the lungs are relieved, the body can process the oxygen better. In addition, home remedies such as teas made from lemon balm, lavender, mint leaves, goose fingerweed and other expectorants can be used to relieve shortness of breath. Steam baths, nasal showers or cough relievers are just as effective, and when combined, they also help against severe shortness of breath.

Acutely, a moist, warm compress is effective against shortness of breath and other breathing difficulties. Patients suffering from asthma, in particular, can quickly relieve their symptoms through warm compresses and similar measures. If the home remedies mentioned do not provide relief from the acute shortness of breath, an emergency doctor must be called in. Chronic breathing problems should be discussed with your family doctor.