At some point in your life, you may experience breathing difficulties, such as shortness of breath or commonly known as dyspnea. Shortness of breath is a condition where breathing becomes a difficult thing to do because you cannot fully inhale air into your lungs--which can be caused by heart or lung problems. Temporary shortness of breath may also often occur when you have been physically active. Unlike temporary shortness of breath, sudden shortness of breath can be such a worry when you are not certain what is the cause of it. This condition requires immediate attention and help immediately.
Emergency medical attention is required if you experience:
- Frequent trouble breathing
- Persistent chest pain
- Lips turning blue
- Confusion or disorientation
How to know if shortness of breath is serious?
There are signs that your breathing difficulties need immediate medical attention. Here are a few tips to recognize the seriousness of your breathing problem:
The causes
Chronic shortness of breath can show itself suddenly with different reasons, such as a weather change, cleaning product usage, or as simple as a common cold. Allergy attacks, bronchitis, and pneumonia can also lead to reduced lung function and capacity resulting in fatigue and breathing difficulties.
Impacts on your daily life
People with lung diseases, like asthma and COPD, experience shortness of breath more often which is considered dangerous. The chest pain, wheezing, coughing, and other symptoms can indicate serious conditions which can interfere with daily life and work.
Signs and symptoms
When people experience shortness of breath, there are several concerning symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored. For example, fatigue, swollen ankles, wheezing coughs, chills and fever, difficulty breathing especially when lying flat on the back, as well as pain or pressure in the chest.
How frequent it is and when that happens
It is essential to pay attention to how frequent and when the dyspnea happens. Constant or sudden shortness of breath can be a sign of breathing troubles or lung/heart disease that can be the cause of it.
You should immediately see your doctor if you often experience unexpected shortness of breath.
How WellO2 Can Help With Your Shortness of Breath Problem
If you have recognized that you have a combination of the symptoms, the possible indicators for shortness of breath it is important to call a doctor for proper care.
Once your doctor examines and determines the diagnosis, he or she will likely prescribe medications to help you breathe easier. Fortunately, there is a non-medicated option to treat shortness of breath, which is a breathing device. Whether acute and circumstantial or chronic shortness of breath, it can be administered by using a breathing exercise device from WellO2 consistently. The vapor and warm steam the device produces will help clear out the airway to make you breathe more easily.
Find out more about WellO2 and how we can help you by joining our WellO2 breathing club and get all the latest updates!
