Environmental Causes
Environmental causes may be related to lifestyle habits or specific events.
- deconditioning:A sedentary lifestyle that involves little physical activity can cause shortness of breath with even small tasks. Your heart rarely runs at peak performance, so over time, peak performance decreases and your heart has to work harder and beat faster to pump the blood it needs to oxygenate your muscles and complete activities.
- Weight:Obese people may experience dyspnea associated with deconditioning, but weight gain, also associated with pregnancy, can cause shortness of breath. Pregnancy changes your circulatory and respiratory systems to accommodate the growing fetus.
This list is not medical advice and may not accurately reflect what you have.
aortic valve narrowing
Aortic valve narrowing is also known as aortic valve stenosis, aortic stenosis, or AS. The aortic valve controls blood flow from the heart to the aorta, the main artery in the body. When the aortic valve is abnormally narrow, blood passing through it is blocked. Pressure can build up in the heart and cause damage.
AS can be caused by a congenital malformation of the valve or by calcification and/or scarring that occurs with age.
Symptoms may not appear right away. There is chest pain with a feeling of a strong heartbeat and shortness of breath with fatigue, dizziness or even fainting.
It's important to see a doctor if you experience these symptoms, as AS can cause stroke, blood clots and heart failure.
Diagnosis is made by physical examination, echocardiogram, CT scan, and sometimes a stress test.
Treatment may simply involve monitoring and medication, while making lifestyle improvements related to diet, exercise, weight, and smoking. Surgery may be recommended to repair or replace the faulty aortic valve.
Rarity:Unusual
Main symptoms:Fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, shortness of breath during exercise, decreased exercise tolerance
Urgency:hospital emergency
pneumonia viral
Viral pneumonia, also called "walking viral pneumonia", is an infection of the lung tissue with influenza ("flu") or other viruses.
These viruses spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
People with weakened immune systems are more susceptible, such as young children, the elderly, and anyone receiving chemotherapy or organ transplant drugs.
Symptoms may be mild at first. The most common are coughs that have phlegm or blood; high fever with chills; Difficulty breathing; Headache; Fatigue; and sharp chest pains when taking a deep breath or coughing.
Medical help is needed immediately. if not treatedpneumonia viralMay cause respiratory and organ failure.
The diagnosis is made by chest X-ray. A blood sample or nasal swab may be taken for further testing.
Antibiotics do not work against viruses and do not help with viral pneumonia. Treatment includes antiviral drugs, corticosteroids, oxygen, pain relievers/fever reducers such as ibuprofen, and fluids. IV (intravenous) fluids may be needed to prevent dehydration.
Prevention includes flu shots and frequent and thorough hand washing.
Rarity:Unusual
Main symptoms:Fatigue, headache, cough, shortness of breath, loss of appetite
Urgency:family's doctor
severe asthma attack
An asthma attack is also called an asthma exacerbation. A seizure causes muscles in the airways to contract, tissues to swell and produce mucus, and the bronchial tubes of the lungs to narrow. This makes breathing very difficult.
Asthma is caused by an immune system that is easily triggered by environmental factors such as: B. an upper respiratory tract infection (cold or flu); tobacco smoke; Dust; Pets; Cold air; and stress
Those with repeated attacks are the most susceptible, as constant inflammation tends to cause more attacks.
Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, severe shortness of breath, chest tightness, chest pain and inability to speak due to shortness of breath.
Asevere asthma attackit is a life-threatening medical emergency. If symptoms do not respond quickly to treatment with a short-acting (rescue) inhaler, take the patient to the emergency department or call 9-1-1.
Treatment includes cold prevention, flu shots, and working with your doctor to create written instructions about when an attack might occur.
Rarity:Together
Main symptoms:severe illness, shortness of breath at rest, wheezing, irritability, cough with dry or watery sputum
Symptoms that always occur with a severe asthma attack:Difficulty breathing at rest, severe illness
Urgency:hospital emergency
Myocarditis
Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, also called the myocardium.
It is a rare complication of a viral, bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection. Responding to medications, drugs, chemicals or even radiation can lead to myocarditis.
Anyone with a weakened immune system or a pre-existing heart condition is susceptible.
Symptoms include fatigue, chest pain and shortness of breath, especially after a viral upper respiratory tract illness. Swelling of the feet and legs can be seen due to poor circulation.
If symptoms are severe, take the patient to the emergency room or call 9-1-1. Myocarditis weakens the heart, preventing it from pumping blood as it should. Without treatment, blood clots, strokes, heart attacks, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia), and sudden cardiac death can occur.
Diagnosis is made by electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiogram, and blood tests.
Short-term treatment consists of rest and medication, depending on the type of illness that caused the myocarditis. Devices can sometimes be surgically implanted to help the heart beat.
Long-term treatment may include medications such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, and diuretics.
Rarity:Almost never
Main symptoms:Fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, muscle pain, chest pain
Urgency:hospital emergency
iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency anemia means that the body does not have enough iron to make haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
The condition is caused by:
- Acute blood loss from injury, surgery or childbirth.
- Chronic blood loss from an ulcer, excessive use of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or heavy menstrual periods.
- Inability to absorb iron from the diet due to surgery or bowel disease, or interference from certain medications.
- A diet low in iron-rich foods.
Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, lack of stamina and chest pain with a fast, irregular heartbeat.
if not treatediron deficiency anemiait can lead to heart disease because the heart needs to pump extra blood to get enough oxygen to the tissues. Developmental disorders can also occur in children.
Diagnosis is made by physical examination and blood tests.
Treatment includes a diet rich in iron-rich foods such as red and dark green meat, leafy vegetables, and iron supplements. In severe cases, hospitalization for blood transfusion and/or intravenous iron therapy may be required.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive inflammation of the lungs that makes breathing difficult. It is caused by prolonged exposure to irritating gases and/or dust particles, most commonly cigarette smoke.
It can take years for symptoms to develop. These include chronic coughing with phlegm (sputum), wheezing, chest tightness, fatigue, frequent colds, swollen ankles, and cyanosis (blue discoloration of the lips and/or fingernails). Depression is often a factor due to reduced quality of life.
Treatment is important because COPD patients are at increased risk of heart disease and lung cancer. While the condition cannot be cured, it can be managed to reduce risks and allow for a good quality of life.
COPD is often misdiagnosed and therefore careful testing is done. Diagnosis is based on history; physical exam; lung function tests; blood analysis; and chest X-ray or CT scan.
Treatment consists of quitting smoking and avoiding exposure to other lung irritants; use of inhalers to relieve symptoms; steroids; pulmonary therapies; and get vaccinated against flu and pneumonia as recommended.
Rarity:Together
Main symptoms:Fatigue, cough and shortness of breath associated with smoking, cough, shortness of breath, sleep disturbances
Symptoms that always occur with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD):Cough and dyspnea associated with smoking
Symptoms that never appear in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD):rectal bleeding
Urgency:family's doctor
Chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart (angina pectoris)
angina pectorisis chest pain that occurs when the heart muscle requires more blood than it currently receives. This could be due to coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become hard and narrow. This is due to a buildup of cholesterol and other material called plaque on their inner walls.
You must see your doctor within the next 24 hours. Your doctor will do a complete physical exam and an EKG (electrocardiogram) to see how your heart is beating. Prescription medications can be used to relax blood vessels and reduce the heart's workload. A referral to a cardiologist may be necessary.
Rarity:Together
Main symptoms:chest pain, chest pain, strong, strong, crushing chest pain, moderate chest pain, deep chest pain, behind the sternum
Symptoms that always occur with chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart (angina pectoris):chest pain
Symptoms that never occur with chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart (angina pectoris):productive cough
Urgency:family's doctor
atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation or AFib or AF is an abnormal, fast, fluttering heartbeat. It occurs when the electrical signals in the heart's two upper chambers are not coordinated with the signals in the lower two chambers.
Heart damage from high blood pressure, congenital heart defects, viral infections, and sleep apnea can all cause this.atrial fibrillation. Other risk factors include older age, obesity, family history and alcohol use.
The patient may notice a spasmodic, fluttering heartbeat; Difficulty breathing; and weakness Chest pain is a medical emergency. Take the patient to the emergency room or call 9-1-1.
Untreated atrial fibrillation can lead to heart failure. Blood clots can form in the blocked circulatory system inside the fluttering heart, travel to other parts of the body, and disrupt blood flow to other organs.
Diagnosis is made by electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, blood tests, stress test, and chest X-ray.
Treatment includes cardioversion with a mild electrical shock or medication to return the heart to its normal rhythm. An operation can be performed. Blood thinners and medications to maintain heart rhythm are prescribed.
aortic regurgitation
The aorta is the large blood vessel that exits directly from the heart. If the heart's aortic valve, which controls blood flow from the heart to the aorta, does not close tightly between heartbeats, some blood returns to the heart instead of the aorta.
This condition can be present at birth or it can develop from calcium deposits that build up with age. Other causes are diseases such as endocarditis, rheumatic fever or lupus.
Symptoms can take years to develop, such as tiredness and dizziness; chest pain and shortness of breath during exercise; swollen feet and ankles; and irregular and fast heartbeats.
aortic regurgitationcan lead to life-threatening heart failure. If the above symptoms are present, the person should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Diagnosis is based on history, physical examination, chest X-ray, stress tests, echocardiogram, and electrocardiogram.
Treatment includes lifestyle changes; some medications; and sometimes surgery to repair or replace the aortic valve.
Questions Your Doctor May Ask About Difficulty Breathing After 1 Flight
- Have you felt more tired than usual, lethargic or exhausted despite sleeping normally?
- Do you notice that your heart is beating hard, fast, or irregularly (also called palpitations)?
- Do you have a cough?
- Fever today or in the last week?
Self-diagnosis with ourbojen-assistantIf you answer yes to any of these questions.