Few sensations are as terrifying as struggling to breathe. Medically referred to as dyspnea, shortness of breath is frequently described as a severe tightening of the chest, a need for air, difficulty breathing, breathlessness, or a sense of suffocation.
A healthy individual may have shortness of breath as a result of extremely strenuous exercise, excessive temperatures, obesity, and higher altitudes. Shortness of breath is typically an indication of a medical issue outside of these instances.
See your doctor as soon as you can if you experience sudden, acute shortness of breath without a known cause.
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You might experience breathlessness if you:
- possess a lung disease, such as COVID-19, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or pneumonia
- vigorously exercise
- encounter a change in temperature, such as leaving a warm area and entering a cold environment.
- experience extreme stress, panic, or anxiety
- are situated in an area with high air pollution levels
- are located at an altitude
- obese
- have lungs-related cancer or are undergoing cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy
Sometimes a sudden loss of breath occurs. In this situation, it could develop swiftly into a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Potential reasons include:
- poisoning by carbon monoxide
- chest pain
- reduced blood pressure
- a case of asthma
- an allergy response
- a lung blood clot called a pulmonary embolism
If a medical emergency is not the reason for your shortness of breath, you can try a variety of at-home remedies that are good at treating this ailment. A lot of them just entail shifting positions, which can relax your body and airways.
Home remedies for shortness of breath
The following nine at-home remedies will help you feel less breathless:
Pursed-lip respiration
This is an easy technique to manage breathlessness brought on by anxiety, COPD, or excessive breathing. Your breathing will quickly slow down as a result, and each breath will be deeper and more productive. After working out, you should seek medical attention if you find yourself struggling to breathe.
To breathe with pursed lips:
- Your shoulders and neck should be at ease.
- Keep your mouth shut and inhale slowly for two counts via your nose.
- Lips pursed as though about to whistle
- With your lips pursed, exhale slowly and gently to the count of four.
Lying down to sleep comfortably
Breathlessness occurs when sleeping for those with sleep apnea. This may result in frequent awakenings, which might shorten your sleep’s duration and quality.
Try sleeping on your side, keeping your back straight, a pillow between your legs, and a pillow elevating your head. Alternately, lie on your back with a pillow under each leg and your knees bent while keeping your head elevated.
Both of these positions facilitate breathing by relaxing your body and airways. Ask your doctor to examine you for sleep apnea, and if necessary, use a CPAP machine.
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Diaphragmatic breathing
Shortness of breath can be managed with the aid of diaphragmatic breathing.
Try this breathing technique:
- Sit on a chair with your legs bent and your neck, head, and shoulders at ease.
- Put your hand on your stomach.
- Slowly inhale through your nose. Under your hand, your stomach ought to move.
- Tighten your muscles as you exhale. Your stomach should begin to indent. Lips pursed, exhale through your mouth.
- Focus more on the exhalation than the inhalation. Continue exhaling for a bit longer than normal before taking a slow breath in.
- Repeat five times in a row.
In a group of adults with COPD, combining these breathing techniques helped them increase their chest capacity and require fewer breaths, according to a 2019 study.
A fan can be very useful.
Many experts advise using a fan to circulate cool air and alleviate shortness of breath, and some earlier research is consistent with this. Your symptoms can improve if you direct a small handheld fan toward your face.
According to research results released in 2018, employing a fan assisted those who were having trouble breathing because of advanced cancer.
Adapt your way of life to reduce breathlessness.
There are numerous potential reasons for shortness of breath, some of which are dangerous and demand immediate medical attention. You can take efforts to relieve it at home if you know why you have trouble breathing and the symptoms are not severe.
You can alter your way of life in the following ways to prevent shortness of breath:
- avoidance of tobacco smoke and stopping smoking
- preventing being exposed to poisons, allergies, and pollution
- regulating weight
- staying active in high altitudes
- being fit, eating right, and getting enough sleep to maintain good health
- any underlying medical conditions being seen by a doctor
- being immunized to avoid diseases such as the flu, COVID-19, and others
- observing the appropriate course of therapy for any underlying condition, such as bronchitis, asthma, or COPD
- finding out as much as you can about the shortness of breath, how it affects you, and your options
Keep in mind that only a doctor can accurately determine what is causing your shortness of breath.
Other treatments
If you visit a doctor for shortness of breath, they will first check for any underlying medical disorders that might be the source of the issue. They will suggest an appropriate course of action if they can pinpoint the problem.
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Medication to treat breathlessness
- Breathlessness medications include:
- inhaled drugs that aid in opening the airways
- medications to treat particular ailments
- tablets or liquids to assist cleanse the lungs and lessen sputum
- medications for allergies
- heart problem treatment
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