Shortness of breath is a condition when a person has difficulty in breathing. In medical terms, this condition is also known as dyspnea. Shortness of breath can be a sign of a disease.
Shortness of breath can occur suddenly and for a short period of time (acute), but can also occur over a long period of time or recur (chronic). If not treated properly, shortness of breath can cause the body to lack oxygen and cause serious complications.
Causes of Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath can occur because the respiratory system and blood circulation are not able to circulate enough oxygen to the body. However, in addition, shortness of breath can also be a symptom of a person's psychological disorder.
The following is an explanation of the types of disorders that can cause shortness of breath:
Lung disorders-lungs
Shortness of breath due to disorders of the lungs can occur due to obstruction of the airways, reduced lung surface area, or inelastic lungs. This condition can occur over a long period of time (chronic) or short (acute).
Some disorders of the lungs that can cause chronic shortness of breath are:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Asthma
- Interstitial lung disease
- Bronchiectasis
- Asbestosis
- Lung cancer
Meanwhile, disorders of the lungs that can cause acute shortness of breath include:
- Asthma attack
- Pulmonary embolism
- Lung infections, such as pneumonia and COVID-19
- Pneumothorax
- Accumulation of fluid in the lungs
Disorders of the heart
Shortness of breath due to disorders of the heart can occur when the heart is not able to pump blood that contains oxygen optimally. A number of disorders of the heart that can cause shortness of breath are:
- Coronary heart disease
- Arrhythmia
- Congestive heart failure
- heart valve disease
- Pericarditis
Psychic disorders
Shortness of breath due to psychological disorders can occur because the respiratory muscles experience tension in response to stress or panic attacks. Psychological disorders that can cause shortness of breath include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Somatoform disorders
Risk factors for shortness of breath
Shortness of breath can attack anyone. However, there are several factors that can increase the risk of shortness of breath, namely:
- Being overweight or obese
- Too skinny
- Have a disease that weakens muscles, such as myasthenia gravis or muscular dystrophy
- Suffering from anemia
- Smoke
- Working in an environment full of pollution or dust
- Being in the highlands
Symptoms of Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is a condition when a person has difficulty breathing. This condition can be a symptom of certain diseases, such as disorders of the lungs. A person who experiences shortness of breath usually experiences the following complaints:
- Chest sensation like being tied or unable to move freely
- Feelings like needing to breathe more or faster
- The body feels that it is not getting enough air
- It's hard to take a deep breath
When to go to the doctor
Acute shortness of breath needs to be checked by a doctor immediately, especially if it is accompanied by symptoms, such as:
- Chest feels full for more than 30 minutes
- Chest pain
- Swelling in the feet and ankles
- Cough and fever
- Wheezing or whistling sound when inhaling and exhaling
- Blueness of the lips and nails
- Shortness of breath that gets worse when lying down
- Nauseous
- Faint
If you have acute shortness of breath that is a recurring condition, such as in asthma, treat it at home according to your doctor's instructions. If the tightness still does not improve, immediately consult a doctor.
COVID-19 can cause symptoms of shortness of breath. This condition does not always require emergency treatment. However, if the shortness of breath is accompanied by symptoms of fever, cough, and fatigue, self-isolate at home or available isolation facilities.
During isolation, monitor your symptoms or your blood oxygen level using an oximeter if available. If then you have difficulty breathing or your blood oxygen levels drop, go to the hospital immediately to get treatment from a doctor.
Shortness of breath diagnosis
To diagnose shortness of breath, the doctor will ask questions about the patient's symptoms and medical history, as well as when the symptoms began to appear. Next, the doctor will perform a thorough physical examination.
After the question and answer and physical examination is complete, the doctor may also perform additional examinations, such as:
- Oximetry, to measure the level of oxygen in the blood and how efficiently oxygen flows in the blood
- Spirometry test, to find out how much air you can get in and out and how long it takes to do this
- Blood tests, to detect infection and to determine the level of hemoglobin in the blood
- X-ray or CT scan of the chest, to detect lung or heart problems
- Electrocardiogram (ECG), to measure and record the electrical activity of the heart
Shortness of breath Treatment
The goal of treatment for shortness of breath is to treat the underlying cause and relieve symptoms. Therefore, the treatment will be adjusted according to the cause.
Some of the treatment methods that doctors can use to treat shortness of breath are:
- Giving inhalers or bronchodilators, for shortness of breath caused by narrowing of the airways, such as asthma
- Giving antibiotics, for shortness of breath caused by lung disorders due to bacterial infections, such as chronic bronchitis or pneumonia
- Giving blood supplements, for shortness of breath caused by anemia
- Giving drugs to treat heart problems, such as diuretics, arrhythmia drugs, or hypertension drugs
- Installation chest tube or a special tube in the chest, for shortness of breath caused by trauma or pneumothorax
- Giving additional oxygen to ease the work of the lungs or heart
In addition to receiving treatment from doctors, patients also need to accompany it by adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as:
- Maintain ideal body weight
- Exercise regularly
- Quit smoking
- Eat a balanced diet
Complications and Dangers of Shortness of Breath
Lack of oxygen is one of the effects of shortness of breath. This condition can cause complications, namely confusion or loss of consciousness.
If you don't get treatment, the condition of lack of oxygen will get worse and can lead to more serious complications, such as:
- Hypoxaemia
- Hypoxia
- Breathing failure
- Brain damage
- Kidney failure
Shortness of Breath Prevention
The risk of shortness of breath can be reduced by taking precautions against disorders that can cause this condition. Some things that can be done to prevent such interference are:
- Avoid cigarette smoke, irritants, allergens, and other air pollution
- Sufficient water intake every day
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain ideal body weight
- Eat a balanced diet, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
- Plan your trip carefully to avoid bad weather and conditions
- Maintain hand hygiene by diligently washing hands
- Keep a distance from people who are experiencing respiratory infections