Shortness of Breath: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Considerations
When experiencing shortness of breath, it’s essential to consider what may be causing the condition. While it may be a normal response to overexertion, it could be linked to an underlying health condition or medical emergency.
Steps for Treating Shortness of Breath
- Have the victim rest. The more energy you expend, the more oxygen you use and the more short of breath you feel. Think about a good workout at the gym. Exercise hard enough and you will feel short of breath. The cure? Take a break.
- Let the victim sit, stand, or lie however is the most comfortable. Coaches sometimes tell players to hold their arms above their heads to maximize chest expansion. Paramedics use the "tripod position" of sitting on the edge of a chair or bed and leaning forward, propped up with hands or elbows on knees. Every person is different, however, so let the victim decide what position is most comfortable.
- Help the victim use any prescribed medication. This may include an asthma inhaler or home oxygen.
- Call 911. If resting or medication isn’t doing the trick after two or three minutes, it’s time to call 911. If you believe the victim is severely short of breath or experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
When to Call 911
It’s essential to call 911 if you or someone is having difficulty breathing. Symptoms may include:
- Breathing rapidly
- Unable to breathe lying down (need to sit up to breathe)
- Using accessory muscles for breathing
- Unable to speak without pausing, gasping, or choking
- Feeling anxious and/or agitated
- Drowsiness or confusion
Other symptoms to look out for include:
- Dizziness
- Pain
- Bluish lips, fingers, and fingernails
- Fever
- Cough
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Unusual chest movements
- Gurgling, wheezing, or whistling sounds
- Trouble speaking or a muffled voice
- Coughing up blood
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Sweating
Causes of Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath may be linked to a number of health conditions, including:
- Heart attack
- Sudden lung problem
- Life-threatening poisoning
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Heart failure
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary embolism
- Respiratory failure
- Other respiratory disorders
Remember
Shortness of breath has many causes, and some of them are quite serious. In the worst-case scenarios, shortness of breath is caused by a heart attack, sudden lung problem, or life-threatening poisoning—in which case seeking emergency medical attention could mean the difference between life and death. When in doubt, call 911.
