Common Shortness Of Breath Causes

If you are searching for information relating to shortness of breath causes, you will discover that there are a number of conditions that may lead to this problem arising. Breathing consists of two motions, the inhaling of air into and out of the lungs, and the transfer of oxygen and carbon monoxide between the lungs and blood vessels. When any of these functions becomes inhibited, the result can be a feeling of loss of breath.

Without the right level of oxygen in the blood, the human body does not function correctly. If oxygen is completely withdrawn, it only takes the shortest amount of time to fall unconscious, and even die. If you regularly feel like you are gasping for air, understanding the actual cause would be essential to finding a suitable treatment plan.

If you feel like you become short of breath after exercising, you should not be too alarmed. This is a natural process, when we do physical exercise there is a greater demand for oxygen to fill the lungs. Only if your get breathless after the mildest exercise should you be concerned.

One of the most common medical conditions that lead to a feeling of breathlessness is asthma. This is an ailment in which the bronchial tubes become constricted, therefore blocking the flow of air. There can be many factors that lead to asthma. It could be down to basic genetics, an allergy to food, pollen, pollution, or dust. There are various medications available that can help an individual reduce the overall extent at which asthma attacks arise and their severity. It is also beneficial to try and avoid the triggers that lead to an asthmatic episode arising.

Bronchitis is an ailment which can cause tremendous difficulty in breathing. It is typical in individuals who use a lot of tobacco products, though can affect almost anybody. The wheezy feeling and tightness of the chest only compound the difficulty in breathing. Emphysema is often misdiagnosed as bronchitis as the outward symptoms are very similar.

If you believe there is an underlying medical problem that has caused your breathing difficulty, it is important to make an appointment to see a GP as early as possible. Pneumonia is also a health problem that can result in severe difficulty breathing.

Another medical condition that can result in shortness of breathe is acid reflux. This is an ailment that affects millions of people on an annual basis. In basic terms, it is caused by acid from the stomach travelling up the wind pipe which results in an excessive production of mucus. The increase in mucus levels narrows the air passage leading to a feeling of breathlessness. Acid reflux can be brought under control by altering diet as well as through medication.

If you have recently had a fall or received any physical injury, this can lead to problems relating to breathing. Always check out a knock to the chest as this can result in a collapsed lung. Also, damage to the thoracic nerve which travels form the upper spine to the chest can result in breathing difficulties.