Dyspnea Symptoms

Breathing is an involuntary action which involves the transportation of air from the external environment to the lungs and vice versa. This process is known as respiration and the body system which performs this function is the respiratory system.

The respiratory system comprises some of the most vital organs in the human body - nostrils, trachea (or windpipe) and a pair of lungs. The air we breathe in, though filtered by the papillae or tiny hair in the nose, contains a number of microscopic pathogens, which when enter the body can cause a number of infections and diseases.

Since being more exposed to the external environment, in comparison to the other organs of the human body system, the lungs are more susceptible to many disorders, one of the being dyspnea (also known as shortness of breath).

Shortness of breath is the layman's interpretation of dyspnea, which is the deprivation of oxygen to the lungs. This disorder is triggered due to a number of factors. An individual suffering from dyspnea may experience bouts of breathlessness anytime during the day or night.

This feeling can also occur while performing strenuous tasks or exercises. Some individuals tend to experience shortness of breath at night, a condition which is termed as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. There can be many causes, the chief being the presence of heart or lung disease, of which dyspnea can be a symptom.

It is essential to diagnose the symptoms on time and in the initial stages, that can help avoid unnecessary complications.

Though at times, dyspnea may catch a person unawares, sometimes subtle symptoms may be experienced by the individual. The intensity can vary from being mild to severe, both of which should be monitored properly and reported to a physician, for timely treatment and quick relief

• The first signs that may indicate the presence of this disorder in the body, is a feeling of heaviness or tightness in the chest region, similar to chest congestion. The individual may feel as though someone has placed a huge boulder on his chest.

• Fatigue or being overtly tired, which causes a hindrance to routine activities can also be observed as one of the symptoms. Even a small task will seem like a mammoth one for an individual suffering from dyspnea.

• As mentioned before, there are some instances when the individual may also suffer from breathlessness even during the night, which is called nocturnal dyspnea. One of the indications is a suffocating feeling and the person is unable to lie down for a long time in the same position. 

The individual may require more than one pillow to breathe properly without any disturbance.

• Persistent cough that may cause chest pain, wheezing and in some cases swollen feet due to build up of fluids, which may be indicative of underlying heart disease are some other symptoms.

A diagnosis before treatment will help assess the severity of the symptoms. A physical exam may be done, followed by some other tests like chest X-ray, blood test to evaluate oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, ECG etc. Treatment is then administered based on the test results.

Symptomatic treatment may be administered to relieve the respective signs. Decongestants are prescribed to unblock the nasal passage. A few breathing exercises may also be recommended to help ease dyspnea.

Antibiotics are used to treat infections, caused due to pathogens. In case of cancer or heart disease, the root cause is diagnosed and treatment administered accordingly. Prompt treatment can help provide relief, even if the causative factor is a complicated health issue. Visit your health care provider to prevent the condition from becoming severe.

Though not life-threatening in nature, this disorder can trigger panic in some patients. However, timely diagnosis and prompt medical intervention can help cure these symptoms and prevent this condition from leading to any other life-threatening respiratory disorder. Take care!