Dyspnea is the medical term for shortness of breath. This condition occurs due to the insufficient supply of oxygen to the lungs which causes rapid, short, and shallow breathing.
Ideally, healthy adults and teens will breathe about 12-20 times per minute. However, when experiencing dyspnea, the pattern and frequency of breathing will change.
Various Causes of Dyspnea
Here are some conditions that can cause dyspnea:
1. Asthma
Asthma is one of the causes of dyspnea. During a flare-up, asthma causes the airways to swell and produce excess mucus, which in turn interferes with airflow. As a result, people with asthma will experience difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, and pain when breathing.
2. Carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when a person inhales excessive amounts of the gas. Carbon monoxide gas has the property of being easily bound to red blood cells and hemoglobin, so that it will flow with the blood throughout the body and cause damage to cells and tissues.
When experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, you will experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and nausea.
3. Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Hypotension or low blood pressure will cause a lack of blood supply containing oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. This lack of blood supply will cause you to experience dyspnea. In addition, when you are hypotensive, you can feel dizzy, weak, and even faint.
4. Ppneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. This condition makes the infected lung tissue not function properly, causing dyspnea or shortness of breath. In addition, lung infections will cause fever, cough, and chest pain.
5. Heart failure
Heart failure can also cause dyspnea. This condition occurs when the heart is no longer able to pump blood around the body normally, so the body's cells do not get an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients. Patients with heart failure will experience dyspnea, difficulty breathing, cough, and feel tired quickly.
How to Relieve Dyspnea
Management of dyspnea depends on its cause and severity. However, there are some initial steps you can take when experiencing mild dyspnea, namely:
1. Breathing through the mouth
The first step you can take when you have dyspnea is to breathe through your mouth. This can help you get more oxygen, so your breathing rate will slow down and you can breathe more effectively. In addition, breathing through your mouth can also help you release the trapped air in your lungs.
2. Dsit with the body leaning forward
Resting and sitting with a leaning forward can also help relieve breathing and make your body more relaxed. To do this, make sure you are calm.
The trick is to sit in a chair with both feet on the floor. Position your body slightly leaning forward. Place your elbows on your knees or support your chin with both hands. Keep your neck and shoulder muscles relaxed.
3. Bstand leaning against the wall
You can also stand leaning against a wall to relieve dyspnea. The trick, stand by leaning your buttocks and hips against the wall. Position your feet so that they are shoulder-width apart and your hands next to your thighs. Lean your body slightly forward, do this way in a relaxed manner.
4. Do diaphragmatic breathing
To do this breathing technique, you simply sit in a chair and let your knees, shoulders, head and neck relax. Breathe in slowly through your nose and feel your belly expand as you breathe in.
Exhale slowly through your mouth. Put more emphasis on exhaling, and keep the time longer than usual. You can repeat this technique every five minutes.
It should be noted that dyspnea can be a sign of a serious illness, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, pulmonary embolism, sleep apnea, heart valve abnormalities, and heart failure.
Therefore, shortness of breath or dyspnea should not be taken lightly. Immediately consult a doctor if you experience shortness of breath, especially if accompanied by cough, chest pain, fever, and headache.