Shortness of breath causes and treatment

A condition in which the rhythm, frequency and depth of breathing is disrupted, and a feeling of air deficiency occurs, is called shortness of breath. The causes and treatment of this disorder can be very diverse. Shortness of breath can occur under various conditions. So, for example, there is shortness of breath when talking, shortness of breath when lying down, after sleep, shortness of breath at rest, etc. The breathing of a person with shortness of breath is frequent and noisy; it is these manifestations that give others reason to assume the presence of shortness of breath. Shortness of breath can be a consequence of quite serious diseases, therefore, when it appears, it is necessary to contact a specialist as quickly as possible, who will competently explain what shortness of breath is and how it manifests itself, and also prescribe a comprehensive diagnostic examination to identify the causes of its occurrence.

The Therapy Center of the Yusupov Hospital offers high-quality diagnostics and effective treatment of diseases accompanied by shortness of breath. If necessary, a pulmonologist can be called to your home.

Types of shortness of breath

Shortness of breath can be of several types:

inspiratory (shortness of breath while inhaling), expiratory (during exhalation) and mixed (with difficulty in inhaling and exhaling);
tachypnea (increased shallow breathing) and bradypnea (decreased breathing);
physiological - transient, reversible intensification of breathing (shortness of breath during physical exertion). The causes of shortness of breath in this case are that it is an adequate adaptive response to stress, injury, or an objectively low level of oxygen in the inhaled air;
pathological (in case of airway obstructions due to bad habits, cardiovascular failure, obesity, lung diseases, hematopoietic system, etc.).

Causes of shortness of breath in the elderly

Low blood hemoglobin. To eliminate anemia, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment with iron supplements.
Panic attacks. If negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, anger arise constantly, consultation and treatment with a psychiatrist is necessary.
Physical overload. A person who is not accustomed to intense physical labor and suddenly becomes overloaded may have health problems. In this case, a long rest is necessary.
Obesity. Excess weight creates additional stress on all organs. It is difficult for such people to move not only when climbing floors, but also difficult to walk on level ground. The problem of suffocation will disappear after losing extra pounds, however, this process must be gradual. Sudden weight loss is also harmful to health.
Lung diseases. You cannot treat yourself or take any medications. Consultation with a pulmonologist is required! With reduced gas exchange in the lungs, all organs, including the brain, constantly do not receive the required amount of oxygen. The lack of adequate treatment leads to the death of nerve cells and other pathologies.
Asthma. Seizures occur regardless of stress, even at rest. If an attack occurs, you must urgently call an ambulance; inaction can lead to pulmonary edema and death!
Ischemic disease. The coronary vessels do not allow enough blood into the myocardium, resulting in angina. The patient experiences severe chest pain, shortness of breath and discomfort. With coronary artery disease there is a risk of heart attack and death. Contacting a medical institution is mandatory!
Heart failure. The organ is unable to pump blood through the system. The blood supply to all organs, including the heart muscle, is disrupted. The condition threatens cardiac arrest. Urgent medical attention required!
Failure due to infarction. Urgent medical attention required! The condition threatens the death of large areas of the heart muscle.
Thrombophlebitis. When the pulmonary artery is blocked, there is an urgent need to save the patient's life. Symptoms: blue face, cramps in the calves.

Why does shortness of breath occur?

If a person suddenly develops severe shortness of breath, the reasons can be very diverse. Most often it is caused by the following conditions:

cardiovascular diseases – due to these pathologies, blood circulation is impaired. Internal organs suffer from a lack of oxygen, and carbon dioxide accumulates in the blood. The body’s reaction to this condition is increased breathing: a larger volume of air is pumped through the lungs per unit of time. In the supine position and after physical activity, shortness of breath associated with heart pathology occurs or intensifies. Severe shortness of breath occurs with the patient sitting or half-sitting. This kind of shortness of breath is characterized by difficulty breathing;
diseases of the respiratory system - the appearance of shortness of breath is associated with obstacles to the passage of air through the respiratory tract (for example, narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi). Therefore, shortness of breath is considered a typical symptom of bronchial asthma. With this disease, the patient experiences difficulty in exhaling. In addition, shortness of breath occurs in cases where the respiratory surface of the lung tissue is reduced. Such a decrease is accompanied by an increase in the intensity of lung function, i.e. frequent inhalation, which is necessary to maintain the required amount of oxygen entering the blood. The list of pathologies of the respiratory system accompanied by shortness of breath includes neoplasms, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.;
anemia - even with normal activity of the lungs and heart, a deficiency of hemoglobin and red blood cells leads to insufficient provision of the organs with the necessary amount of oxygen. To compensate for this disorder, the body increases its breathing rate;
neuroses and panic attacks - in these cases, clinical examinations do not reveal the presence of cardiovascular and pulmonary pathologies, but subjectively the patient suffers from lack of air, and the appearance of psycho-emotional changes provokes increased breathing, which causes shortness of breath;
various tumors – shortness of breath occurs with a tumor of the thalamus, intestinal tumors, etc.;
problems with the gastrointestinal tract. For example, hoarseness, cough, shortness of breath with esophagitis are characteristic symptoms;
obesity and diabetes are common causes of shortness of breath.

Causes of shortness of breath (lack of air) when walking

Difficulty breathing in healthy people is associated mainly with physical activity, for example, doing heavy work, climbing mountains or jogging. Often women feel a lack of oxygen due to wearing tight clothing (corsets, belts), which restricts the movement of the chest. The feeling of lack of air in older people occurs even when walking, which is explained by age-related changes in blood vessels and the heart. Together with other symptoms, dyspnea indicates the development of specific diseases.

Cause	*Description*
Pregnancy	Shortness of breath occurs in the second half of the gestational age, when the enlarged uterus begins to put pressure on the diaphragm. In the later stages of pregnancy, a woman experiences severe shortness of breath and lack of air even when walking - the condition is accompanied by noticeable weakness, dizziness, and sudden darkening of the eyes.
Pleurisy	The main sign of inflammation of the pleura is a gradual increase in shortness of breath with difficulty breathing, caused by pain in the affected areas. To reduce the intensity of pain, the patient breathes quickly and shallowly, limiting the volume of respiratory movements.
Lung diseases	Shortness of breath is due to the fact that the affected part of the lung does not participate in the respiratory process. Insufficient inspiration, fatigue, dizziness - usually such symptoms are observed with pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchopulmonary amyloidosis, sclerotic processes.
Heart diseases	In heart diseases, shortness of breath and lack of air occurs with rhythm disturbances or insufficient blood supply to the myocardium. The intensity of symptoms depends on the form of heart failure - in the chronic form, oxygen deficiency is observed during light exercise, then when walking and even at rest.
Laryngeal stenosis	In this case, difficulty breathing is associated with diseases that create obstacles to the movement of air masses. Similar symptoms are characteristic of benign and malignant neoplasms, laryngocele, laryngomalacia.
Emergency conditions	A person experiences an acute lack of air - fog before the eyes and a feeling of “lightheadedness” indicate an approaching fainting. Severe shortness of breath and shortness of breath occur for several reasons: cardiac asthma, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hemorrhage

Respiratory disorders are also observed when foreign objects enter the respiratory tract - characteristic symptoms appear immediately after accidental inhalation of food or small objects. In the case of chest injury, oxygen deficiency is explained by the person’s attempts to reduce pain by limiting the volume of inhalation and exhalation.

Shortness of breath in people of different age categories

Shortness of breath can occur in people of all ages, from infants to the elderly.

In children, shortness of breath can be both physiological and pathological. The appearance of physiological shortness of breath is caused by physical exertion or high anxiety, which is considered normal. When the respiratory system is immature, pathological shortness of breath occurs in the infant. How to determine the type of shortness of breath and its causes is decided by the pediatrician, selecting the necessary diagnostic methods.

In old age, people's tolerance to physical activity decreases and the efficiency of the respiratory system decreases. Due to age-related changes, the physical strength of the respiratory muscles decreases, as a result of which gas exchange worsens and normal breathing becomes difficult. In addition, older people tend to have diseases of the cardiovascular system and lungs, which lead to shortness of breath. Most often, they do not pay attention to this symptom for a long time, so the diseases that accompany it are diagnosed at advanced stages. As a result, treatment becomes more difficult, the quality of life and its duration are significantly reduced. So it is better to immediately seek medical help if shortness of breath occurs in older people, without waiting for the condition to worsen.

The best pulmonologists in Moscow - Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Alexander Vyacheslavovich Averyanov, Candidate of Medical Sciences Alexander Evgenievich Shuganov are receiving appointments at the therapy center of the Yusupov Hospital. Klina is equipped with innovative high-tech equipment for conducting the most modern diagnostic studies. Thanks to an integrated approach involving specialized specialists in various fields, our doctors identify the exact cause of shortness of breath and select an effective treatment regimen, taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient.

Which doctor should I contact?

Since shortness of breath can be associated with a variety of diseases, it is first appropriate to consult a general practitioner or pediatrician if the problem occurs in a child. Based on the medical history, description of the problem, and physical examination, the doctor will be able to make an assumption about why shortness of breath occurred and refer the patient to specialized specialists - a pulmonologist, cardiologist, hematologist, psychiatrist and others. Depending on what disease is detected, the doctor prescribes a treatment regimen.

References

Martynenko T.I. et al. Optimization of early nosological verification of shortness of breath of pulmonary or cardiac origin // Pulmonology - 2014. - No. 1. - P. 27-31.
Shortness of breath. Mayo clinic (date of access: 07/16/2019). URL: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/shortness-of-breath/basics/definition/sym-20050890.
Princely N.P. Bronchial asthma: difficulties of diagnosis // Practical Pulmonology - 2011. - No. 1.
Chikina S. Yu. Principles of assessing shortness of breath in the practice of a pulmonologist // Practical Pulmonology - 2006. - No. 2.
Tatochenko V.K. et al. Pneumonia //Pediatric pharmacology – 2006. – T. 3. – No. 4.
Poltavskaya M. G. et al. Chronic shortness of breath in cardiac patients: prevalence and etiology // Clinical Medicine - 2007. - T. 85. - No. 6. - P. 37-42.
Polozova E.V., Shilov V.V., Kuznetsov O.A. The main clinical manifestations of damage to the respiratory system in acute severe carbon monoxide poisoning, complicated by thermochemical damage to the respiratory tract //Efferent Therapy - 2009. - T. 15. - No. 3 -4. – pp. 35-39.
Avdeev S. N. Thromboembolism of the pulmonary arteries // Practical Pulmonology - 2009. - No. 3.
Savenko I. A. et al. Clinical pharmacology of drugs for the treatment of anemia in the educational process // International Journal of Experimental Education - 2013. - No. 8. - P. 132-134.
Nemerov E.V. et al. Analysis of clinical cases with shortness of breath syndrome //Siberian Medical Journal (Tomsk) – 2013. – T. 28. – No. 2.
Mravyan S. R., Protopopova T. A. Diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy - 2010.

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What is shortness of breath in humans: symptoms

The occurrence of shortness of breath in the initial stages of damage to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems is associated with physical exertion (for example, when the patient climbs up the stairs). As the pathology progresses, shortness of breath and fatigue appear even with a slight load (walking on a flat surface, tying shoelaces, etc.), as well as at rest.

Patients perceive shortness of breath quite subjectively. It may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

difficulty breathing (inhalation/exhalation);
compression in the chest;
feeling of congestion in the chest area;
tightness in the chest;
feeling of lack of air;
inability to take a deep breath or exhale completely;
suffocation.

Other diseases affecting breathing

Shortness of breath can occur as a result of any violation of the integrity of the chest, which occurs, in particular, as a result of injury. Very often, patients experience difficulty breathing after a rib fracture. The pain that occurs as a result of the injury does not allow a person to breathe fully, causing him to feel short of air. Shortness of breath can also occur due to contact with allergens, or when a person has a disease such as diabetes.

Even if a person knows about his illness, if shortness of breath occurs, he needs to consult a doctor who will conduct a full examination and draw up a series of procedures to alleviate the patient’s condition.

What to do if it becomes difficult to breathe

Shortness of breath: diagnosis

Diagnosis of the underlying pathology that provoked shortness of breath is carried out using the following research methods:

general examination (general medical examination, counting the frequency of respiratory movements of the chest, listening to the lungs with a phonendoscope);
general blood test;
chest radiography;
computed tomography of the chest;
spirometry (spirography) – to assess air flow through the respiratory tract and the ability of the lungs to expand;
tests using a bronchodilator - spirometry is performed before and after inhalation with a bronchodilator drug. This study allows us to evaluate the reversibility of bronchial narrowing;
bronchoprovocation test - spirometry is performed before and after inhalation of histamine and methacholine. It is carried out to detect increased sensitivity of the bronchi, which causes bronchospasms;
studies of the gas composition of the blood (the level of tension in the blood of carbon dioxide, oxygen is determined, the saturation of the blood with oxygen is assessed);
body plethysmography – allows you to evaluate the function of external respiration. It is used to assess all volumes and capacities of the lungs, incl. those that spirography cannot determine;
electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart, echocardiography) - allows you to assess the functional state of the heart and pressure in the pulmonary artery system;
fiberoptic bronchoscopy is a study that is used to examine the mucous membrane of the bronchi from the inside and study its cellular composition with a special preparation. The use of this method is advisable for patients with an unclear diagnosis. Allows you to exclude other possible diseases with similar symptoms;
angiopulmonography – during the procedure the blood vessels of the lungs are examined;
lung biopsy;
consultations with a pulmonologist, cardiologist.

Treatment of patients with shortness of breath

If an elderly patient experiences or worsens shortness of breath when walking, doctors prescribe treatment depending on the cause of the respiratory dysfunction. When treating shortness of breath that occurs or worsens during emotional stress, psychotherapists use an integrated approach using psychotherapeutic, medicinal, and physiotherapeutic techniques and measures.

If elderly people have shortness of breath caused by anemia, therapists provide individually selected therapy. When the hemoglobin level is 109-90 g/l, hematocrit 27-32%, a diet is prescribed, including iron-rich foods, salts, polysaccharide compounds of divalent iron, iron (III)-hydroxide polymaltose complex. If the hemoglobin level is below 90 g/l, the hematocrit is below 27%, a hematologist is consulted, and salt or polysaccharide compounds of divalent iron or iron (III)-hydroxide polymaltose complex are prescribed in a standard dosage. In addition to previous therapy, iron (III)-hydroxide polymaltose complex or iron III dextran is administered intravenously. Patients with severe anemic and circulatory-hypoxic syndromes are given infusions of leukofiltered erythrocyte suspension.

If the cause of severe shortness of breath when walking is heart failure, the following medications are prescribed:

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors;
β-blockers;
Aldosterone receptor antagonists;
Diuretics;
Cardiac glycosides;
Angiotensin II receptor antagonists.

Patients whose cause of shortness of breath, which worsens when walking, is bronchial asthma, are prescribed drugs that dilate the bronchi by reducing the tone of the smooth muscles of the bronchi, and improve bronchial patency by reducing inflammation of the airway wall.

If you are concerned about severe shortness of breath and palpitations when walking, make an appointment with a therapist online or by calling the contact center. After determining the cause of shortness of breath, the doctor will individually select the most effective drugs to restore respiratory function.

Shortness of breath: treatment

Pulmonologists at the Yusupov Hospital Therapy Center select an individual drug therapy regimen for each patient, depending on the disease that provoked the onset of shortness of breath.

The clinic’s rehabilitators draw up a plan for physical training and pulmonary rehabilitation to increase the patient’s tolerance to physical activity, and prescribe breathing exercises using various methods (diaphragmatic breathing, inflating balloons, blowing air through a tube, etc.) that train the respiratory muscles.

In severe cases, artificial ventilation is used.

Shortness of breath accompanies pathologies of various organs and systems of the human body. Therefore, each individual case requires specific therapy, aimed primarily at eliminating the underlying disease causing shortness of breath.

How to treat shortness of breath caused by cardiovascular diseases?

Patients with shortness of breath associated with cardiovascular diseases are prescribed therapy, the goals of which are:

improve oxygen supply to the heart;
increase cardiac output;
reduce blood stagnation in the lungs.

The use of nitrates, glycosides, and diuretics is effective. Patients with heart failure are recommended to always have nitroglycerin available, which helps to immediately dilate the blood vessels of the heart muscle.

Oxygen therapy is used to replenish the lack of oxygen in the blood.

How to get rid of shortness of breath: first aid

Providing first aid for shortness of breath to a person suffering from heart disease involves doing the following:

call an ambulance;
before the arrival of doctors, it is necessary to ensure the flow of fresh air into the room where the patient is located by opening the window;
the patient must be seated on a chair;
remove the tie and scarf from the patient’s neck, unbutton the top buttons on the shirt;
Place a nitrosorbide tablet under the patient’s tongue and give any diuretic.

How to cure shortness of breath associated with pulmonary diseases?

For shortness of breath caused by pulmonary pathologies, patients are advised to drink plenty of alkaline fluids (except for patients with pulmonary edema).

To relieve bronchospasm, selective β2-adrenergic agonists (salbutamol, fenoterol, terbutaline, formoterol, clenbuterol, salmeterol) are prescribed. M-cholinergic receptor blockers are effective for relaxing the muscles of the bronchi.

Patients suffering from bronchial asthma are prescribed inhalations with NSAIDs and steroid therapy.

Treatment of shortness of breath due to bronchitis involves the use of medications to separate sputum. These include:

acetylcysteine;
carbocysteine;
bromhexine;
ambroxol.

How to get rid of shortness of breath associated with allergies?

Every person suffering from allergic diseases should know what to take for shortness of breath of this etiology:

diazolin;
diphenhydramine;
suprastin;
tavegil;
fenistil;
claritin;
desloratodine, etc.

As an additional therapy for shortness of breath caused by allergies, you can use traditional medicine: decoctions of plants that have an expectorant effect (from plantain, pine buds, coltsfoot), as well as hot foot baths.

How to deal with shortness of breath of a psychogenic nature?

Shortness of breath quite often accompanies mental disorders - melancholy, panic attack, depression. Patients suffering from these conditions are prescribed sedatives, antidepressants and tranquilizers. The use of therapeutic hypnosis is also effective. Treatment is prescribed exclusively by a psychotherapist.

Shortness of breath, especially at rest, is an alarming symptom that often manifests quite serious pathologies that require immediate examination and urgent medical care. Therefore, if such a respiratory disorder occurs, it is necessary to urgently visit your doctor. You can make an appointment with a therapist or pulmonologist at the Yusupov Hospital by calling the phone number listed on the clinic’s website.

Treatment Options

In the event of shortness of breath and lack of air due to heart failure, treatment involves taking medications to improve the functioning of the heart muscle. After studying the research results, the doctor will tell you what to take in case of heart failure to eliminate the feeling of lack of air. Treatment at home is possible only for the chronic form of the disease: the acute form requires hospitalization under round-the-clock medical supervision.

When shortness of breath appears during physical activity, the first thing you need to do is to minimize the load on the body and give it a rest. In case of acute dyspnea, walking in the fresh air will help ensure normal ventilation of the lungs. If the cause of oxygen deficiency is inflammation of the respiratory system, then it is necessary to eliminate the source of infection.

If the lack of air is associated with chronic diseases or conditions that do not require hospitalization, an effective method to cope with the lack of air is the use of oxygen cartridges. They contain a concentrated mixture consisting of 80% oxygen and 20% nitrogen. It quickly saturates the blood and relieves symptoms of oxygen deficiency. Spray cans have virtually no contraindications. They are also suitable for making oxygen cocktails, another effective way to increase oxygen levels in the blood.

The PRANA company produces KISLOROD oxygen cylinders with a volume of 8 to 16 liters and offers to purchase them in bulk at competitive prices. Find out what delivery conditions we can offer by contacting the manager.

How to help an elderly person with shortness of breath in an emergency

Diseases associated with heart failure are life-threatening and it is necessary to be able to distinguish such conditions in order to provide timely help to the person.

Symptoms indicating that the lack of oxygen is associated with a problem with the heart:

an elderly person has difficulty taking a breath;
with any type of exertion, shortness of breath increases;
shortness of breath appears in a lying position; in a sitting position, normal breathing is restored.

A person's lips turn blue, weakness and panic occur. Such symptoms are dangerous (pulmonary edema may occur) and require an immediate call to the ambulance.