When you feel short of breath, it can be scary. Especially if you are not sure what the cause is. Shortness of breath is a subjective feeling of having very uncomfortable breathing.
Of course, if you go for interval runs or do a sweaty HIIT workout in your basement, hopefully you’re short of breath. But we are talking about when you are simply walking up the stairs of your house, doing the dishes or even sitting down to eat. Those are times when you wouldn’t expect to run out of breath, and some of them are true emergencies.
Why are you short of breath while at rest?
It’s anxiety
People who have anxiety may have an uncomfortable breathing sensation. This is a behavioral response. In a stressful situation, the body’s normal response is ‘fight or flight’, which means that your heart rate and breathing increase, which can give you the feeling that you are short of breath.
When anxiety is the cause, shortness of breath usually lasts 10 to 30 minutes at a time. The episodes usually appear quickly and are due to a feeling of fear or discomfort.
You have COVID
One of the many symptoms to look out for after exposure to the virus that causes a COVID-19 infection is shortness of breath or shortness of breath, as well as fever or chills, cough, fatigue, muscle or body aches, aches head and loss of taste or smell.
If you’ve been out of breath lately or have a known exposure to COVID, ask your doctor if you should be tested.
Are they allergies or asthma
Many things can trigger an allergic response that blocks the airways, including exposure to dust, pollen, pet dander, or strong odors and fumes. This constriction is a bronchospasm , which is when the airways narrow, giving a feeling of lack of air.
Exposure to allergens or irritants in the air can trigger asthma symptoms, as well as strong emotions and hormonal changes during pregnancy. With asthma, shortness of breath is often accompanied by wheezing (a grinding or whistling sound when you breathe).
You have anemia
Almost 3 million are diagnosed with anemia annually. Anemia is a condition in which you have low levels of red blood cells and is often caused by not getting enough iron or by having a heavy period.
When you lack these red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your tissues, you can feel tired, dizzy, and have trouble breathing.
It’s the cold air
Exposure to cold air can cause a response similar to asthma, as it can trigger bronchospasm. Cold temperatures can also cause wheezing and coughing. This can happen in healthy people, but is often worse in people with breathing problems such as asthma or COPD.
Cover your nose and mouth with a scarf or mask when you are outside to warm the air you breathe and reduce these symptoms.
Your heart needs help
If your heart is unable to effectively pump blood (and therefore oxygen) through your body, you may feel short of breath when doing everyday activities, such as climbing stairs. Shortness of breath is a symptom of mitral valve disease and cardiomyopathy, among other heart problems.
Shortness of breath is also a warning sign of a heart attack , and it can occur with or without chest pain. Other symptoms include nausea, lightheadedness, back or jaw pain, and a cold sweat.
It’s lung cancer
This shouldn’t be the first thing to think about if you’re short of breath, but it’s something to keep in mind. Shortness of breath is a common symptom. It is seen in about 30 to 40 percent of patients who have lung cancer.
The cancerous tumors themselves can cause a blockage in the lungs; Cancer can also affect the function of the respiratory muscles. Unfortunately, this symptom usually appears late and is an indication that the cancer has advanced.
What to do if you have difficulty breathing?
If you are straining when this happens, slow down and sit down. Try to calm yourself with slow, deep breaths where you inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. You can try this breathing technique when you feel anxious. Slow breathing activates your body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which counteracts the fight or flight response to help you calm down.
If you are out of breath for a few minutes or hours, you should still see your doctor. Even if you can attribute it to cold temperatures or exposure to dust or fumes, this is not a normal reaction. There are breathing tests that we can see if you have undiagnosed asthma.
Right now, in winter, your physical condition has likely decreased if you are not going out as much. Deconditioning is very common at this time given the time of year and confinement.
