What is shortness of breath?

Shortness of breath is a common way to allude to a medical condition known as dyspnea. Dyspnea is also referred to as respiratory distress. This distress can manifest as the feeling of suffocation, tightness in the chest, or the feeling that you are not getting enough air into your lungs. Dr. Jain treats complaints of shortness of breath from patients seriously and investigates the root cause thoroughly, since shortness of breath can derive from a variety of causes.

What causes shortness of breath?

Shortness of breath can occur in a healthy individual participating in strenuous exercise or experiencing extreme temperatures or high altitudes, but it can also be a sign of an underlying medical issue.

More serious causes of shortness of breath are likely due to a condition involving the heart or lungs, which are responsible for key roles in the transport of oxygen in your body.

Some serious causes include asthma, heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, airway obstruction, and cardiac tamponade.

How is shortness of breath treated?

For acute shortness of breath such as that brought on by strenuous exercise, treatment may be as simple as taking deep breaths to return a healthy flow of oxygen to your lungs and the rest of your body. For shortness of breath caused by a more severe underlying condition, medical treatment will be determined once a diagnosis is reached.

If you are experiencing shortness of breath and are unsure of what is causing it, it is important to seek medical care immediately.