Dyspnea: what is it, causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention

What is dyspnea?

Dyspnoea (dyspnea) Is a violation of the frequency, rhythm or depth of breathing. Many people experience it as a result of the fact that the body is exposed to strenuous physical stress, but it can also be caused by overweight, anxiety attacks, such diseases, how asthma or pneumonia, or some other reason. Breathing may be fast, restless, or painful, and the person may feel tightness in the chest, have difficulty breathing, or even suffocate.

If you experience intermittent, sudden, or severe shortness of breath, see your doctor. You may need medical attention and treatment will depend on the cause of your dyspnea.

Signs and symptoms

There are many ways in which dyspnea can manifest itself, and it can vary in severity. Dyspnea can be chronic, usually worsening over time, or it can be acute and severe. Sudden or severe shortness of breath is dangerous and requires urgent medical attention.

Breathing can be:

• short;
• fast (speeded up);
• superficial;
• difficult;
• slow;
• painful or restless.

A person can also experience:

• chest pressure, tightness or heaviness;
• lack of air.

There are times when a person, as an observer, can notice dyspnea even earlier than the person who has it. Watch for the following signs of an emergency and seek medical attention if you notice:

• clearly audible, loud labored breathing;
• anxious, worried facial expression;
• dilating nostrils;
• bulging of the abdomen and / or chest;
• cyanosis (pale or blue face, mouth, lips, or limbs).

Causes

The most benign cause of dyspnea is exercise; the increased need for oxygen makes breathing quicken, especially if the activity is more intense than the person is used to. This type of condition is nothing to worry about and should improve in a few minutes.

But dyspnea can also be the result of certain health problems. In fact, it is almost always caused by illness.

In general, any medical condition that affects the heart or lungs can lead to shortness of breath. And often systemic diseases also cause rapid breathing, usually due to increased oxygen demand or limited oxygen supply.

The list of possible causes of the condition is extensive. Causes of intermittent or acute dyspnea include:

• low blood pressure (arterial hypotension);
• allergy (in particular a complication called anaphylactic shock);
• ingestion of a foreign object or carbon dioxide into the respiratory tract;
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);
• environment (e.g. exposure to smoke, chemicals);
• chest trauma;
• panic attacks.

The most common causes of chronic dyspnea include:

• Heart diseases, including heart attackstagnant heart failure and tachycardia;
• Diseases of the lungs, including COPD, pulmonary hypertension, sarcoidosis of the lungs and pneumonia;
• Overweight (or obesity)

Young children, the elderly, or adults with serious health problems are more prone to shortness of breath, even from a mild respiratory infection (ARVI, flu).

Pregnant women, on the other hand, can experience dyspnea even in the absence of a respiratory infection. This is because they have an increased need for oxygen and usually put physical pressure on their lungs as a result of the growth of the uterus.

Diagnostics

How a person describes the condition of dyspnea can be a clue as to its root cause. Different medical conditions can lead to different types and severity of dyspnea, although this is not always the case.

Dyspnea is a common cause of visits to a therapist. If you go to the doctor for this reason, the doctor will begin to look for the cause of the symptoms with a medical history and physical examination. Questions such as whether you experience shortness of breath mainly during activity or at rest, and whether it occurs suddenly or slowly, will be important in assessing the condition.

Certain risk factors, such as a history of smoking, can help a doctor rule out some conditions and give more weight to others. Additional diagnostic tests may also be required. Tests that may be helpful in diagnosing the cause of dyspnea include:

• Blood tests: Used to diagnose infections and inflammatory diseases.
• Chest x-ray: Commonly used to screen for lung disease.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): done if the doctor suspects there may be heart disease.
• Spirometry: a method for studying the function of external respiration, which includes the measurement of volumetric and speed indicators of respiration.
• Complete Pulmonary Function Study: can assess breathing capacity in more detail than spirometry, measuring how much air a person can breathe in and out, as well as how quickly.
• Arterial blood gas measurement. A measure of the oxygen content in the blood that alerts doctors to low oxygen levels.
• Echocardiography: May be ordered if an EKG suggests you have heart disease.

Dyspnea treatment

Treatment for dyspnea depends on the underlying cause.

For example, for those who develop the condition during physical activity, an increase in physical endurance through training in the long term will prevent shortness of breath with exertion activities.

If asthma makes breathing difficult, giving or adjusting medications such as bronchodilators and steroids can help control the condition. If anxiety or panic disorder is to blame, cognitive behavioral therapy and / or medications can prevent anxiety attacks. When chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the culprit, special breathing techniques and oxygen therapy are usually needed.

In some cases, you may need to use several strategies to significantly reduce dyspnea, such as weight loss and medication.

Breathing exercises

Your nurse can show you how to take slow, deep breaths to help relieve dyspnea. You can do them with the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest from the abdominal cavity (see. photo below). This type of breathing is called diaphragmatic breathing.

Try to relax while doing breathing exercises. Relieve muscle tension. This will allow your abdomen (belly), chest, and lungs to expand.

Here are some breathing exercises that can help relieve shortness of breath.

Deep breathing 4-8-8

This exercise improves the movement of air in the lungs. It helps to increase oxygen levels throughout the body.

1. Inhale through your nose for a count of 4.
2. Hold your breath and count to 8.
3. Exhale through folded lips (as if you are whistling) for a count of 8.
4. Repeat 4 times.

Stretching the chest wall

This exercise will help your chest muscles become more elastic.

1. Inhale through your nose for a count of 4. As you inhale, stretch your arms out in front of you and raise them above your head.
2. Exhale through the cupped lips. As you exhale, unfold your palms and bring your hands down to your sides.
3. Repeat 4 times.

Rapid nose breathing

This exercise can help strengthen the diaphragm.

1. Shut your mouth.
2. Breathe in and out quickly through your nose for 15-30 seconds.
3. Practice doing this exercise several times until you can do it for 60 seconds.

Walking and breathing

These tips will help you breathe easier when walking.

• When walking on a flat surface, inhale and exhale through your nose without opening your mouth.
• On inclines (slopes), inhale through your nose and exhale through your folded lips.
• As you climb the stairs, exhale on each step through the lips folded into a tube.

Recovering from an attack of dyspnea (from coughing or exercise)

1. Place your chin against your chest.
2. Take 10 short, sharp breaths through your mouth. Take short breaths between them if necessary.
3. When your neck muscles relax slightly, inhale through your nose.
4. Exhale 3 times through the folded lips. Inhale in between exhalations.
5. Inhale through your nose for a count of 4.
6. Exhale through your open mouth, counting to 8 and uttering the "ah" sound.
7. Repeat 3 times.

Prophylaxis

In general, dyspnea prevention strategies include controlling the diseases that cause it, as well as avoiding dyspnea if you know you are prone to it.

For example, if you already know you have asthma or allergies, or are experiencing panic attacks, take medications to manage the condition and trying to avoid triggers as much as possible will help prevent seizures dyspnea.

If you develop an infection such as pneumonia, doctors will work to prevent the occurrence of dyspnea by treating the infection and closely monitoring the lungs with a physical exam and radiography.

If you have chronic shortness of breath caused by a medical condition such as heart failure, lung disease or obesity, the strategy for preventing the development of dyspnea (or its worsening) focuses on treating these diseases.

To help prevent some of the illnesses that can cause dyspnea, consider the following:

• Try to control your weight if you are overweight.
• If you smoke, quit. This habit can cause COPD and heart disease.
• Manage your blood pressure and cholesterol to prevent heart attacks and arrhythmias.
• Avoid frequent inhalation of contaminants by wearing an appropriate mask when working with environmental chemicals.

Conclusion

While the condition does not always indicate the presence of a medical condition, it is possible. If you notice severe and sudden dyspnea accompanied by chest pain, nausea, or dizziness, you should call 112 or have someone take you to the nearest emergency room help. Try not to panic, as the reaction can make breathing difficult. Dyspnea is usually treated.