Dyspnea is a breathing disorder which is characterized by difficult, labored breathing which makes the patient feel as though he or she is suffocating or fighting for air. It is sometimes called “air hunger,” in a reference to the fact that patients feel starved for breath, and it is caused by a wide variety of medical problems. Difficulty breathing is a serious medical symptom, and it requires medical attention to resolve the issue which is causing the breathing difficulty.
Someone with dyspnea may experience this condition in a variety of ways. Some patients find it hard to draw in breath, while others have trouble exhaling. It may be hard to move air through the lungs, or it may be possible to inhale and exhale normally, but the patient may feel starved for air because the capacity for gas diffusion in the lungs has been diminished. A vise-like sensation in the chest may be experienced, along with a sense of pressure which makes it hard to breathe.
Along with symptoms which are experienced by the patient, dyspnea has some very obvious physical symptoms which can be observed by other people. People with difficulty breathing often have loud, labored breathes which may by accompanied with wheezing, coughing, or other signs of strain. Fingertips and toes may turn bluish to white due to poor circulation, and the patient may become pale, sweaty, or agitated.
Lung diseases, circulatory problems, and a wide variety of other conditions can lead to dyspnea. The condition may also appear in response to physical or emotional strain. Some dyspnea is expected and normal with heavy exercise, but excessive difficulty breathing or periods of prolonged coughing, the development of fluid in the lungs, and chest pain after or during exercise are signs that medical attention is needed.
Treatment of dyspnea often starts with securing the airway to make the patient more comfortable. Antianxiety drugs may also be provided to reduce panic. Then, a series of medical tests can be used to explore the cause of the problem, including imaging studies to look at the lungs, bloodwork to assess general physical health, and a physical exam. After a diagnosis has been arrived at, a treatment plan can be developed to resolve the underlying condition, hopefully causing the dyspnea to dissipate as well.
Dyspnea is also associated with lung cancer and chronic pulmonary illnesses, in which case management of dyspnea may be a specific part of the treatment program.
Most cases of shortness of breath are due to heart or lung conditions. Your heart and lungs are involved in transporting oxygen to your tissues and removing carbon dioxide, and problems with either of these processes affect your breathing. A number of other health conditions, certain environmental factors — even being overweight — also can make it hard to get enough air.
Asthma
Bronchitis
COPD (often caused by smoking); Croup (especially in young children)
Emphysema
Histoplasmosis; Hyperventilation
Interstitial lung disease
Lung cancer
Pleural effusion; Pleurisy; Pneumonia; Pneumothorax; Pulmonary edema; Pulmonary embolism; Pulmonary fibrosis; Pulmonary hypertension
Sarcoidosis
Tuberculosis
Cardiomyopathy
Heart arrhythmias; Heart attack; Heart failure
Pericarditis
Acute kidney failure; Anaphylaxis; Anemia
Broken ribs
Epiglottitis
Generalized anxiety disorder; Guillain-Barre syndrome
Lack of exercise (deconditioning) or unusually strenuous exercise
Obesity
Myasthenia gravis
Neuromuscular disorders
Panic attacks and panic disorder; Pregnancy
Tonsillitis
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Dyspnea treatment can be either pharmacologic or non-pharmacological, depending on the dyspnea cause. Both aim to relieve the patient's difficult breathing.
When trying to cope with symptoms of dyspnea, it is important for the patient to remain calm. Panic will only exacerbate the problem. Here are some useful tips for immediate relief of dyspnea:
Abdominal Breathing: Lie on your back and bend your knees (you can use a pillow if it's more comfortable), then place one hand on your upper chest and the other on your stomach under your breastbone. Exhale slowly while squeezing your abdominal muscles inward (pressing them toward the floor), then allow your abdomen to expand as you inhale.
Controlled Breathing: Purse your lips, take a normal breath through your nose while counting the seconds required to inhale, then exhale through your pursed lips for twice the number of seconds required for inhalation. Don't force the air out, release it slowly.
Relaxation: Ease your muscles and try to relieve any tension in them to decrease their demand for oxygen. Also try learning various relaxation techniques that can help you and use them when dyspnea occurs.
Medication: For immediate relief of especially severe dyspnea, patients may need medication, such as anti-anxiety drugs.
Further dyspnea treatment depends greatly on the underlying cause of the dyspnea. For instance, if it arises from cancer or infection, the cancer or infection must be treated to relieve the dyspnea. Dyspnea prognosis will also vary based on the underlying cause of dyspnea. Fortunately there are many treatments available to deal with the symptoms of dyspnea and to help provide relief, even if the underlying cause turns out to be a complicated health issue.