The medical term for shortness of breath is dyspnoea and it’s a common health condition. Many a time, dyspnoea is a symptom of a disease or a complication of a disease. With dyspnoea, you have a feeling of not getting enough air into your lungs. At the same time, many people feel chest tightness, anxiousness, choking, etc.
Ruling out the cause of shortness of breath is vital to healing. Heart disease and respiratory illness are two widely responsible factors for dyspnoea. Lifestyle modifications, medical care, and therapies may heal the condition optimally. Get treatment for breathing problems in Siliguri from the leading chest specialist here.
This blog shares insights into some common reasons for shortness of breath; have a read:
Asthma
Asthma or bronchial asthma is a medical condition responsible for breathing difficulties/shortness of breath. It’s a condition in which the lung airways get narrowed, inflamed, and swollen, producing excessive mucus. Chest tightness, dyspnoea, wheezing attacks, coughing, trouble sleeping due to shortness of breath, persistent coughing chest pain, etc. are common symptoms of bronchial asthma.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Shortly termed COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of conditions that block airflow, which in turn makes it difficult to breathe. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis can contribute to COPD if remain untreated/poorly treated. Shortness of breath is one of the most common signs of this disease. Further signs include chest tightness, wheezing, fatigue, etc. See the top lungs doctor in Siliguri for dyspnoea.
Pneumonia
It’s an infection that irritates/inflames air sacs in the bot/individual lung. When lung air sacs become fluid-filled, the condition results in coughing up phlegm/pus, difficulty breathing, chills, fever, chest pain, confusion, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, sweating, shaking chills, etc. Adults over 65 age, children younger than 2, people with weakened immune systems, etc. are in the high-risk group.
Heart Failure
Heart failure is a medical condition in which the heart muscle doesn’t pump enough blood as it should, causing blood to back up and fluid to build up in the lungs. Shortness of breath especially when lying down or with activity, irregular heartbeat, wheezing, weakness, fatigue, persistent cough, abdominal swelling, rapid weight gain, weakness, lack of appetite, reduced alertness, etc. are common signs here.
Myocardial Ischemia
It refers to a lack of blood supply to the heart muscle/myocardium due to a partial or complete blockage caused by a collection of plaque/fat. Chest pressure or chest pain is the most frequent sign. However, other signs include shoulder pain, arm pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, neck/jaw pain, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, etc.
Furthermore, anxiety, allergies, anemia, obesity, tuberculosis, extreme temperatures, sleep apnea, lack of exercise, excessive exercise, and high blood pressure in the lungs can be potential causes of shortness of breath. Consult the best doctors for breathing problems in Siliguri. Relaxation techniques, exercise, medications, changing food habits, stress management, oxygen therapy help fight dyspnoea.