Respiratory Health
Shortness of Breath: Should You Be Worried?
4 min read
By Apollo 24/7, Published on - 13 January 2021, Updated on - 18 October 2022
Share this article
1
15 likes
Shortness of breath explained
Causes for shortness of breath
- Strenuous exercise
- Extreme changes in temperature
- High altitude
- Poor air quality
- Choking (obstruction in the windpipe)
- Allergic reaction
- Obesity
- Walking
- Running
- Climbing stairs
Medical conditions that may be associated with shortness of breath
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Anaemia
- Heart disease (heart attack, heart failure)
- Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19)
- Pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs)
- Lasts over a month
- Gets worse with activity
- Gets worse when lying down
- Is accompanied by cough for three weeks or more
- Occurs along with swelling of the ankles
When does shortness of breath become life-threatening?
- Chest pain or pressure
- Light-headedness, fainting, or sweating
- Nausea
How is shortness of breath treated?
Conclusion
Respiratory Health
Leave Comment
Recommended for you
Respiratory Health
How to Tackle That Niggling Chronic Cough
Coughing is considered normal during seasonal transitions, as it could be due to an allergy. However, if the cough persists for long, it may indicate an underlying medical condition, that requires attention.
Respiratory Health
What Could Be The Underlying Reasons For My Morning Cough?
Several conditions can cause morning cough. Recognizing the exact reason can help identify the onset of an underlying condition that requires intervention.
Respiratory Health
How Does Humidity Affect Asthma?
Humidity causes difficulty in breathing especially for people with respiratory conditions like asthma. Humidity is the amount of water vapour or moisture in the air.
Subscribe
Sign up for our free Health Library Daily Newsletter
Get doctor-approved health tips, news, and more.
Visual Stories
8 Healthy Foods for Asthma
Tap to continue exploring
Recommended for you
Respiratory Health
How to Tackle That Niggling Chronic Cough
Coughing is considered normal during seasonal transitions, as it could be due to an allergy. However, if the cough persists for long, it may indicate an underlying medical condition, that requires attention.
Respiratory Health
What Could Be The Underlying Reasons For My Morning Cough?
Several conditions can cause morning cough. Recognizing the exact reason can help identify the onset of an underlying condition that requires intervention.
Respiratory Health
How Does Humidity Affect Asthma?
Humidity causes difficulty in breathing especially for people with respiratory conditions like asthma. Humidity is the amount of water vapour or moisture in the air.