Shortness of breath though a very common affliction, is more serious than the name suggests. Read below to learn more on the causes, symptoms and treatment of shortness of breath.

What Is Shortness Of Breath

Shortness of breath is such a common occurrence that no one really pays any heed to it. Any intense activity that you indulge in or any heavy weight that you lift is followed by shortness of breath. You huff and puff, pant and heave, breathing hard to suck in a gush of nourishing oxygen. After a while, when your nerves have calmed, your breathing returns to normal! This is something which almost all of us experience in our day-to-day life and there is absolutely no need to panic for such temporary shortness of breath. However, if you find that you have to exert yourself every once in a while for the simple process of breathing, then maybe there is a cause of concern. Do you feel suffocated after or while talking? Or do you feel like you have just run a marathon when all that you did was climbed up a fleet of stairs to reach your home at the first floor? If yes, then there is a strong case that you are suffering from shortness of breath. And the sooner you go for medical help the better it is, for shortness of breath is in itself not much of a problem as the underlying health risk that it points to. You must know that there are innumerable health conditions whose most common symptoms start with shortness of breath. Consider this as just a warning sign and rush yourself to the medical center to diagnose the main cause for your shortness of breath. As the adage goes “a stitch in time saves nine” so later you will be thankful for it. Read the article below for more information on shortness of breath.
 
Causes Of Shortness Of Breath
  • If a person is susceptible to certain allergies, then chances are he/she may suffer from shortness of breath.
  • Respiratory disorders like asthma are a very common cause of shortness of breath.
  • Overeating can also result in shortness of breath. This is because when you overeat, the bloated stomach presses against the diaphragm causing shortness of breath.
  • If someone suffers from bronchitis, then due to the inflammation of the bronchial tubes shortness of breath can occur.
  • Severe ongoing anxiety disorders can also cause shortness of breath, as the anxiety can lead to tightness of the chest.
  • Those who are suffering from various heart disorders can experience shortness of breath. In this case, the shortness of breath can be the sign of an impending heart attack.
  • Lung diseases can cause scarring of lung tissue. This results in shortness of breath.
  • Lack of exercise and other physical activity can cause shortness of breath when doing normal activities.
  • Obese people are more likely to suffer from shortness of breath, because of the weight issue.
Symptoms Of Shortness Of Breath
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Very fast breathing
  • Difficulty in speaking
  • Neck and chest muscles are used for breathing
Treatment Of Shortness Of Breath
  • Practice breathing exercises. Deep breathe. Take in the air slowly making the chest expand while holding on your breath. Then breathe out. Repeat the process a number of times to increase the lung capacity.
  • Build your endurance and stamina by walking briskly every day. This will relieve the shortness of breath. While walking, breathe through the nose, keeping the mouth closed, while pushing your abdominal muscles out and pulling them in as you exhale.
  • First make two cups of tea. Then add half a tablespoon of black pepper. Strain the tea and drink it at least three to five times a day. This will open up the bronchial tubes.
  • In a glass of lemon juice, add equal parts of ginger, honey and garlic. Drink this juice to get rid of congestion, thereby making breathing easier and simple.

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