Dyspnea or shortness of breath is described as a severe tightening in the chest and a feeling of suffocation. Very strenuous exercise, massive obesity, extreme temperatures and high altitudes are known to cause shortness of breath even in a healthy person. Shortness of breath is also a sign of a medical problem.
If you have inexplicable shortness of breath, more so, if it comes on unexpectedly and is rather severe, you need to consult your health care provider as soon as possible to understand the precise cause.
Signs And Symptoms Of Shortness Of Breath
- Breathlessness
- Suffocation
- A tightening sensation or a sensation of a vice like grip in the chest
- Associated giddiness
- Exhaustion
Common Causes Of Shortness Of Breath
Shortness of breath is usually because of lung or heart conditions. The lungs and heart are involved in transporting oxygen to the cells of the body and getting rid of the carbon dioxide. Impairment with either of these organs will affect your breathing adversely.
Common causes for shortness of breath are:
- Asthma
- Morbid obesity
- Cardiac tamponade
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Low B.P.
- Anemia
- Heart attack
- Pneumonia
- Collapsed lung
- Pulmonary embolism
- Sudden loss of blood
- Upper airway obstruction
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Heart dysfunction
- Pleurisy
- Pulmonary edema
- Pulmnary fibrosis
- Lung cancer
- Tuberculosis
- Arrythmias
- Heart failuremyasthenia gravis
- Anxiety disorder
Natural Treatment For Shortness Of Breath
It is very vital that you confer with your healthcare provider immediately.
- Based on the diagnosis of the case, your doctor will start suitable medications to stave off as well as manage the bouts of dyspnea.
- Proper techniques of breathing will help you breathe a lot more efficiently, so your body gets the oxygen it requires. Also, it will help you control the anxiety which comes on when you have an attack of breathlessness.
- Pursed-lips breathing. This technique has you breathing against resistance. Quickly, breathe in through the nose for about 3 seconds. Then, breathe out slowly through your mouth and keep the lips puckered. This creates a resistance to the flow of air and keeps the airways open. Remember to breathe out at least 3 times longer than you breathe in. Repeat several times.
- Learn to cough. You may have a lot of extra mucus. A controlled cough eases out your breathing. It comes from deep in the lungs with enough force to loosen the expectoration and get rid of it from the airways.
- Coffee has been touted as a good home remedy; it helps allay shortness of breath. Caffeine in the coffee decreases respiratory muscle fatigue and enhances airway function. On the other hand, do not drink too much coffee as it can raise your heart rate as well as B.P.
- Steam inhalation helps ease out breathing too; it keeps the nasal passages decongested.
- Ginger is an amazing expectorant which treats chest and nasal congestion that may cause breathing difficulty. Furthermore, it battles any kind of throat and respiratory tract infection. Drink a glass of ginger tea every day. You could also add a little honey and cardamom powder to it.
- Beetroot fights of attacks of breathlessness effectively; more so, if you are anemic. Beetroot is loaded with iron, fibre, calcium, potassium, and vitamins. Blend half a beet root with half a bunch of spinach and consume once daily; it proffers relief.