Difficulty Breathing: The Reasons for a Sudden Breathing Trouble
Typically, we feel short of breath after a long jog around the block or a routine workout at the gym. But if you suddenly have trouble breathing and you feel as though your lungs are working overtime to get in enough oxygen, this could imply a lot of things.
Breathing difficulties could hint of a serious medical condition. That is why it is essential to determine their cause early on. Getting a proper diagnosis of your condition will help your doctor come up with a treatment plan and deliver it as soon as possible. Be aware of the common causes of difficulty in breathing.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal emotion that anyone is likely to experience more than once in their lifetime. But when the feeling progresses to the point that it impairs an individual, anxiety can develop into a disorder. An anxiety attack can cause difficulty in breathing.
Anxiety disorders do not just affect the brain but also other parts of the body. When a person experiences anxiety, a feeling of impending doom looms, and the heart rate starts to increase. Along with such symptoms comes difficulty in inhaling and exhaling air.
To avoid having a panic attack, it is important to get your anxiety properly diagnosed by a healthcare provider. Your psychiatrist may prescribe certain medications that should balance your hormones and prevent future attacks. However, shorter-term anxiety disorders can be easily treated with the help of relaxation, stress management, and regular physical exercise. Check these homemade remedies to reduce stress and anxiety.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic condition that makes millions of people around the globe struggle to breathe. When a person has asthma, his or her airways narrow and swell. This triggers the lungs to produce more mucus, which results in coughing and wheezing. Asthma makes breathing especially difficult.
Asthma may seem like a minor nuisance to some, but for others, it is a major problem that can disrupt their quality of life. An asthma attack can even lead to serious, life-threatening situations. Having an asthma attack is especially dangerous for pregnant women. Since it is difficult for them to inhale enough oxygen during an attack, the baby in their womb can suffer serious consequences.
During this time, healthcare providers may monitor the fetus’ health with the help of an ultrasound transducer. If you have asthma, always keep your doctor in the loop with your health condition—especially when signs and symptoms start to worsen. Seek emergency treatment if you experience excessive wheezing and shortness of breath or if a quick-relief inhaler has not alleviated the symptoms.
COPD
A common underlying cause of breathing problems is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A person with COPD may be suffering from emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which often occur simultaneously. The airways are responsible for carrying air into and out of the lungs. With COPD, these airways become swollen and filled with mucus.
As a result, these air passages partially block the air you breathe, making breathing a tedious chore for a person with this chronic condition. Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of COPD. While smokers are more at risk of getting this disease, people who are often exposed to secondhand smoke are also prone to getting COPD.
If you have been struggling with your breathing and are at risk for COPD, don’t hesitate to visit the doctor to get a proper diagnosis. Doing so will also get your condition treated at the earliest possible time.
Heart Attack
Difficulty in breathing is one of the most common signs that a heart attack is impending. Don’t hesitate to get medical help immediately once you suddenly have trouble breathing and experience other symptoms such as chest discomfort, lightheadedness, nausea, cold sweats, and pain in the jaw, neck, back, or on one or both arms.
These are tell-tale signs of a heart attack—so don’t waste any time! An emergency medical services (EMS) team should be able to deliver treatment an hour sooner than if someone drives to the hospital. The EMS team is also trained to revive a person even when his or her heart has stopped. Make sure to call 911 immediately when you start to experience the symptoms of a heart attack.
Having trouble breathing is a common symptom that could be caused by a lot of things. Don’t just wait for it to pass, especially if you are at risk for certain critical medical conditions. This is especially common in smokers because of all the chemical components that are inhaled in every puff. Knowing the correlation between smoking and heart attacks will help you understand the importance of quitting this bad habit. It should also motivate you to quit for good!
It’s best to seek the expertise of a doctor so that you know exactly what to do when emergencies arise. Boxing workouts are a great way to burn fat, gain muscle, and reduce heart disease. If you would like to improve cardiovascular health it is one of the great benefits of boxing workouts.
