What is hidden behind unusual shortness of breath? | Health

that shortness of breath Rapid breathing and a temporary feeling of shortness of breath are often signs of physical exertion and the body's need to recover. On the contrary, feeling abnormally short of breath is a symptom that should not be taken lightly.

If shortness of breath is not part of your daily life, it may be explained by various reasons ranging from mild to severe, and according to general medicine specialist Camille Granjon, these are some of the possible reasons, said writer Ariane de Wilde in a report published by the French magazine “Marie Claire”.

Camille Grangeon explained that shortness of breath occurs when there is an “imbalance between the body's need for oxygen and the respiratory system's difficulty responding to this need,” and this is due to several possible causes ranging from stress to allergies to illness.

Physical exertion and abnormal shortness of breath.. How do we differentiate between them?

According to Camille Granjon, we can distinguish between shortness of breath after training or effort, “which recovers within a few minutes after returning to rest,” and “difficult and rapid breathing, which sometimes leads to wheezing.”

According to the health insurance website, shortness of breath refers to an uncomfortable sensation “experienced in a situation that does not normally cause any respiratory discomfort, either at rest or during exercise.” We also talk about chronic shortness of breath when it lasts for at least eight weeks.

Medically, “this leads to an increase in respiratory rate and oxygen saturation and can be accompanied by a feeling of fatigue,” says Camille Grangeon.

Anxiety causes physical and mental shortness of breath.

As with physical exertion, shortness of breath associated with anxiety is transient and the person eventually returns to breathing at a normal rate. In this case, in addition to shortness of breath, “it can be accompanied by palpitations, a feeling of discomfort, headaches or even chest pain,” Granjon confirms.

“Unlike the pathological cause that reduces oxygen saturation, the vital signs are good,” Granjon noted, adding that “hyperventilation is a self-regulating mechanism ofanxiety attacksThe latter can also appear alongside other physical symptoms such as “cold or sweaty hands, dry mouth, nausea, and numbness or tingling in the extremities,” according to the Well & Good website. Immediately, you should consider breathing methods to end the attack, or breathing into a bag.

As the symptoms subside, the shortness of breath disappears, but signs of anxiety such as fear, worry, rumination with intrusive thoughts and sleep disturbances may remain. For this reason, if they persist, psychotherapy may be necessary and can be supplemented with meditation, for example.

Asthma, lung diseases, sleep apnea…respiratory diseases

In general, an asthma attack is the most common symptom of respiratory discomfort and is characterized by shortness of breath and wheezing that lasts from a few minutes to a few hours. Between attacks, breathing returns to normal, but its frequency and severity vary from one person to another.

These attacks are caused by chronic inflammation of the bronchi, and Dr. Camille Grangeon explains that by saying, “These bronchi constrict, which obstructs the circulation of air, which explains this whistling,” adding that “the chronic cough and the feeling of tightness in the chest become worse.”

According to the Ministry of Health website, asthma can also be called “allergy” when it is the result of exposure to allergens and causes sudden fatigue and paleness.

In addition, shortness of breath can also be associated with other respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sleep apnea or, more seriously, in cases of lung cancer or pulmonary embolism, which often go unnoticed, because the main symptoms are palpitations and an increased heart rate.”

Like COVID-19, influenza or whooping cough, the infection is likely to include shortness of breath among its symptoms, but fever remains the most common. Chills, sweating, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches can also occur.

Heart disease.. when the heart does not pump blood enough

A heart defect can easily explain unusual shortness of breath, explains Dr. Camille Grangeon, because it causes blood to circulate through the lungs. If the heart does not pump blood sufficiently, we speak of heart failure. The health insurance website explains that in these conditions, shortness of breath is due to “increased blood pressure in the pulmonary vessels, which prevents the lungs from performing their functions properly.”

It can also cause rapid weight gain, swelling of the feet and ankles, excessive fatigue, coughing and shortness of breath when lying down, especially at night, the latter of which requires urgent medical advice.

On the other hand, a heart attack or angina, chest pain caused by insufficient blood flow and oxygen levels to the heart, can cause difficulty breathing.

Other rare causes

In rare cases, according to Camille Grangeon, “very severe anemia can lead to shortness of breath, because these people have fewer red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen.” They may therefore experience shortness of breath during physical activity “because the blood cannot carry the extra oxygen the body needs,” and in response “they breathe quickly and deeply in an attempt to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood.”

The health insurance website added that this may also occur due to a neurological disorder in the respiratory system, a tumor in the nose or throat, or chronic carbon monoxide poisoning.

When should you consult a doctor?

The writer concluded the report by saying that shortness of breath should be a symptom that causes concern and prompts a doctor’s consultation if it is accompanied by other symptoms. From Granjon’s point of view, the following symptoms are not deceptive: “chronic cough, chest pain, low blood pressure, fever or chills, palpitations or irregular heartbeat,” as they are all indicators, especially if the shortness of breath increases gradually or continues for some time.

The health insurance guide also referred to “confusion, agitation, or loss of consciousness, as well as weight loss and night sweats.” Therefore, the doctor will then decide what tests to perform depending on the nature and severity of the symptoms, age, and underlying conditions.