Breathlessness
Key points
- Breathing difficulties involve a sensation of difficult or uncomfortable breathing or a feeling of not getting enough air.
- No standard definition exists for difficulty breathing.
- Obstruction of the air passages of the nose, mouth, or throat may lead to difficulty breathing.
- Breathing difficulty, whether sudden or long term, should always be taken seriously.
Alternative names
Shortness of breath; Breathing difficulty; Difficulty breathing; Dyspnea
Definition
Breathing difficulties involve a sensation of difficult or uncomfortable breathing or a feeling of not getting enough air. See also difficulty breathing - first aid.
Considerations
No standard definition exists for difficulty breathing. For some individuals, a sense of breathlessness may occur with only mild exercise (for example, climbing stairs) without an indication of the presence of a specific disorder. Others may have advanced lung disease and difficulty exchanging air but may never feel a sensation of shortness of breath.
In some circumstances, a small degree of breathing difficulty may be normal. Severe nasal congestion is one example. Strenuous exercise, especially when a person does not exercise regularly, is another. In many situations, however, difficulty breathing represents the presence of significant disease and should be evaluated by a health care provider immediately.
Wheezing is one form of breathing difficulty. See also rapid breathing, apnea, and other lung diseases.
Common Causes
Shortness of breath has many different causes. Obstruction of the air passages of the nose, mouth, or throat may lead to difficulty breathing. Heart disease can cause breathlessness if the heart is unable to pump enough blood to supply oxygen to the body. If the brain, muscles, or other body organs do not receive enough oxygen, a sense of breathlessness may occur. Sometimes emotional distress, such as anxiety, can lead to difficulty breathing. Specific causes include the following:
- Lung disease
- Cigarette smoking
- Asthma
- Emphysema
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Interstitial lung disease
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Rapid ascent to high altitudes, with less oxygen in the air
- Airway obstruction
- Inhalation of a foreign object
- Dust-laden environment
- Allergies (such as to mold, dander, or pollen)
- Congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Heart arrhythmias
- Deconditioning (lack of exercise)
- Obesity
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.