Not being able to breathe freely could be very disturbing. Breathing problems may develop suddenly or may gradually. Shortness of breath after running or doing aerobics is not generally considered a breathing problem.
But if you feel that you are not getting enough air, or your breathing is not as normal as it should be, you may be facing a breathing problem.
Table of Contents
Common causes of breathing problems
Many people have trouble breathing when they get a cold. For many other, breathing problems could be the result of sinusitis or infections. Let’s look at the common causes that can lead to breathing problems.
1. Asthma
If you have asthma, the inside of the airways of the lungs become inflamed and swell up. The membranes of the linings of the airways may also start secreting mucus. The narrowed airways often make it hard for a person to breathe. A person with asthma may experience the following problems:
- coughing
- shortness in breathe
- chest tightness
- wheezing
People with asthma have very sensitive lungs and any trigger may cause the above-mentioned problems for the person.
2. Pulmonary embolism
The condition of blockage in the arteries leading to the lungs. In many cases, the condition is caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from the damaged veins of the body or due to deep vein thrombosis. Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. A person with pulmonary embolism may experience the following health problems:
- chest pain
- difficulty breathing
- cough
- chills and sweat
- abnormal heart rate
- dizziness
- unconsciousness
- blurry vision due to dizziness
People within the age group of 60 to 70 years mostly suffer from pulmonary embolism. The mortality rate of a pulmonary embolism due to delayed or unavailability of treatment is as high as 30%.
3. Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a lung infection where fluid and pus build up inside the lungs. Pneumonia can be a life-threatening condition and requires treatment at the earliest. Pneumonia may be caused due to virus or bacteria. There are four stages of pneumonia, viz, consolidation, red hepatization, grey hepatization and resolution. Pneumonia can impact either one or both of the lungs. Common signs that a person is suffering from pneumonia include:
- breathing problems
- cough
- chest pain
- fever and chills
- pain in the body
- fatigue and exhaustion
4. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD refer to diseases that lead to poor functioning of the lungs. People suffering from COPD may face:
- breathing difficulty
- chest tightness
- constant coughing
- wheezing
- mucus build up in the lungs
- low oxygen levels
COPD may progress over several years and lead to sudden complications. The complications can be severe and life-threatening.
5. Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is a condition that occurs when high pressure affects the arteries in the lungs. Pulmonary hypertension is often caused due to the narrowing of the arteries that leads to cardiac failure. The onset of pulmonary hypertension can be gradual and suddenly lead to an emergency situation.
A person with pulmonary hypertension may experience:
- difficulty breathing
- trouble exercising
- fatigue and tiredness
- chest pain
6. Epiglottitis
The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped flap of cartilage that is located behind the tongue, at the top of the larynx, or voice box. When the tissues lining the epiglottis swell up due to infection, the condition is known as epiglottitis. Epiglottitis requires immediate medical attention and delay in treatment could lead to life-threatening conditions. The most common cause of epiglottitis is a past infection with Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib). Common signs that a person is suffering from epiglottitis include:
- difficulty breathing
- trouble swallowing
- sore throat
- fever and chills
- hoarse voice
- loud breathing sound
7. Croup
Children between the age group of 6 months to 3 years are most vulnerable to developing croup. The symptoms of croup are very similar to that of a common cold. Other symptoms of croup include:
- difficulty breathing
- barking cough
- recurrent fever
Difficulty in breathing can also be caused due to problems in the heart. Possible conditions include:
- Coronary artery disease causes blood supplying arteries to narrow down.
- Congenital heart disease where problems related to the function of the heart are inherited from previous generations.
- Congestive heart failure where heart muscles become so weak that it fails to pump blood throughout the body efficiently.
8. Sinusitis
Infection in the sinus cavities around the nasal passages is known as sinusitis. Sinusitis is mainly triggered by cold or allergies. Sinusitis can make it difficult for a person to breathe and the problem may persist until the inflammation subsides. Breathing problems dues to sinusitis can be chronic. People with sinusitis may experience the following symptoms:
- nasal congestion
- runny nose
- distorted sense of smell
- sneezing
- snoring
9. Deviated nasal septum
A deviated nasal septum is the condition where the wall between the nostrils gets deviated or displaced to one side. Complications due to deviated septum may include snoring, difficulty breathing, nasal congestion, and sleep apnea. Severe cases of the nasal septum may require surgery. The surgical treatment to straighten the crooked or deviated nasal septum is known as septoplasty. (Also read: Everything you need to know about deviated nasal septum)
Environmental issues that cause breathing problems include:
- pollution and dust
- mold or pollen
- anxiety and stress
- lower oxygen intake
- climbing high altitude
Who is at risk for breathing difficulties?
Any person who has any of these problems is at risk of experiencing breathing problems:
- allergies
- anxiety or stress
- chronic lung infection
- extreme physical exertion
How does Covid-19 affect your lungs and airways and cause breathing problems?
Covid-19 is a respiratory disease and hence it directly affects the lungs. The disease reduces the oxygen level in the body causing difficulty in breathing.
Most people with Covid-19 report infection in the upper respiratory tract. The lining of the lungs in people infected with coronavirus may become inflamed and irritated. In many cases, the infection becomes so chronic that it reaches the alveoli.
About 80 per cent of people have reported mild to moderate symptoms of respiratory problems in the case of coronavirus. As shocking it may sound, when Covid-19 attacks the respiratory organs, there may not be any initial symptoms. One can understand that their lungs have been infected only when they face breathing problems. And by the time the symptoms appear, the virus infects at least 25 per cent of the lungs. Covid-19 can cause acute respiratory distress and even lead to the total collapse of the lungs.
When to see a doctor for breathing problems?
Experts suggest that you should make an appointment with your doctor if your breathing problem is accompanied by:
- Wheezing
- Swelling in your feet and ankles
- High fever, chills and cough
- Worsening of preexisting shortness of breath
- Trouble breathing when you lie flat
What are the treatment options for breathing problems?
The treatment of breathing problem depends upon the cause.
- If you are facing difficulty breathing due to a stuffy nose or cold, the breathing is likely to get normal in a few days. Once your symptoms go away, you are likely to feel better.
- If you are experiencing breathing problems due to stress and anxiety, meditate or go for a counselling session. Additionally, you can also listen to some soothing music or do what makes you feel happy.
- If your breathing problem is a result of any infection in the lungs or the heart, consulting with the doctor is the best thing to do. Your doctor will prescribe you the right treatment and medication.
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