Shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea, is a sensation of feeling unable to breathe comfortably or deeply. It can be a symptom of various health conditions, ranging from simple exertion or anxiety to serious diseases like heart or lung conditions.
In this guide, we will discuss the possible causes of shortness of breath, the diagnostic methods used to identify these causes, and the different treatment options that are available.
Note: Home Sample Collection is only for Pathology lab tests.
Shortness of breath can stem from various conditions. It could be a sign of a lung condition such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, or lung cancer. Heart diseases like heart failure, heart attack, or arrhythmias can also cause shortness of breath. Other conditions, such as anemia, anxiety disorders, obesity, and certain metabolic disorders can also lead to this symptom.
If you experience occasional shortness of breath due to normal causes such as exertion, high temperatures, or high altitudes, resting and hydrating should help. But if your shortness of breath is sudden, severe, or accompanied by chest pain, fainting, or nausea, you should seek immediate medical attention as these could be signs of a serious condition.
If your shortness of breath is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as chest pain, wheezing, or fainting, it's time to see a doctor. If it's linked to daily activities or interfering with your quality of life, it's important to get it checked out.
There are several tests a doctor may use to diagnose the cause of shortness of breath. Chest X-rays can help identify lung conditions, while electrocardiograms (ECGs) and echocardiograms can help diagnose heart-related causes. Other tests could include pulmonary function tests for lung conditions, blood tests for anemia or infections, and stress tests to detect heart diseases.
Pulmonary function tests measure how well your lungs work, including how well you're able to breathe and how effective your lungs are at delivering oxygen to the rest of your body. These tests can diagnose lung diseases, measure the severity of lung problems, and check how well treatment for a lung disease is working.
Treatment for shortness of breath depends on the underlying cause. It may involve medications to treat heart or lung conditions, supplemental oxygen, physical therapy to strengthen the breathing muscles, or lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking or losing weight.
In some cases, shortness of breath can be prevented or minimized by maintaining a healthy lifestyle – avoiding smoking, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and controlling underlying conditions such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes.
Your primary care doctor should be your first point of contact if you're experiencing shortness of breath. They might refer you to a specialist depending on the suspected underlying cause – a pulmonologist for lung conditions, a cardiologist for heart conditions, or a hematologist for blood disorders.
