Where does shortness of breath come from and when is it dangerous

How shortness of breath occurs

The lungs and heart are the first to record the lack of oxygen. Realizing that it is getting somehow stuffy, they transmit a signal to the brain with the help of the vagus nerve. That, in turn, activates the respiratory center, which speeds up respiratory contractions. Without realizing it, we begin to breathe more often.

When the oxygen level in the blood reaches normal again, the lungs and heart calm down and stop beeping. The brain exhales, the respiratory center decreases activity, and again we breathe regularly and easily.

In general, everything is clear with the mechanism of the Mechanisms of dyspnea in healthy subjects - this is an absolutely healthy phenomenon. But then another question arises: why can the oxygen content in the blood fall? The reasons for Reasons You’re Short of Breath can be divided into conditionally normal and really dangerous. Unfortunately, there are more of the latter.

When shortness of breath is normal

You've had physical activity

This is the most common cause of shortness of breath. Actively working muscles require a lot of oxygen, literally sucking it out of the blood. As a result, the concentration of O2 decreases, and the respiratory center accelerates the rate of respiration.

What to do

Slow down your speed and allow yourself to catch your breath. Keep in mind that muscles continue to consume a lot of oxygen even after a workout, be it fitness, strength training, or a bus run. That is why after such a load it takes time to take a breath.

If shortness of breath occurs too quickly during exertion, this may indicate insufficient physical fitness. Take care of yourself: get fit and walk more.

Are you worried

Breathing becomes more frequent when you are anxious or afraid of something. Emotional shocks are accompanied by an adrenaline rush. One of the side effects of this hormone is that it causes Adrenaline Rush: Everything You Should Know the muscle fibers of the lungs to contract more actively.

What to do

Try to calm down, reduce stress. As soon as the adrenaline level returns to normal, shortness of breath will disappear.

You have a runny nose and are coughing

The virus causes a runny nose and cough. Nasal congestion and constant attempts to clear your throat result in less oxygen than usual with each breath. The body reacts to this by training breathing. And if during the illness you also actively move, then shortness of breath occurs faster than usual.

What to do

Contact a therapist, undergo tests that will confirm that you have nothing more serious than ARVI, and allow yourself to recover without unnecessary stress.

You work a lot while sitting

It is unlikely that you keep your posture at your desk. Most likely, bend over, support your head with your hand. At the same time, the lungs are squeezed, it is more difficult for them to contain the usual volume of oxygen. Therefore, breathing may become slightly faster, and shortness of breath occurs with the slightest physical exertion.

If you sit a lot for months or even years, your back muscles get used to it and seem to freeze. This means that it is difficult for the lungs to breathe in any position.

What to do

Monitor your posture. Stretch the muscles of your back, shoulders, neck, and chest regularly.

You have anemia

In simple words - you do not have enough iron. The less iron, the lower the level of hemoglobin - a pigment that stains blood red and at the same time is responsible for transporting oxygen to organs and tissues. When the level of hemoglobin decreases so much that the body ceases to grasp O2, the mechanism that triggers shortness of breath is activated: we begin to breathe more often.

What to do

Take blood tests to make sure that it is in hemoglobin. And then follow the recommendations of the therapist. Most likely, the doctor will suggest you eat more foods. Iron deficiency anemia in children rich in iron: liver, beef, chicken and turkey, mackerel, seaweed, buckwheat, oatmeal, peaches, pears, apples … Or prescribe medications.

You are overweight

Let's start with the obvious: the more extra pounds you have, the more difficult it is for your muscles to move them. Accordingly, any movement becomes a serious physical activity, that is, the most popular cause of shortness of breath.

There is one more angle: excess weight can be not only an external, but also an internal problem. Visceral fat coats and compresses internal organs, including the heart and lungs, and prevents you from breathing normally.

What to do

Get rid of unnecessary things: go in for sports, revise the diet, excluding fast food and everything fatty from it and adding vegetables, fruits, lean meat. With this program, a month will be enough for you.

There is good news: when you lose weight, visceral fat goes away faster than subcutaneous fat, so you will get rid of shortness of breath caused by it even before you start to like yourself in the mirror.

You are in a stuffy, poorly ventilated area

Everything is clear here: there is little oxygen in the surrounding air and in order to reach the required level of O2 in the blood, the body begins to breathe vigorously.

What to do

Ventilate the room more often or, if this is not possible, go outside several times a day for a portion of fresh air.

How to understand that shortness of breath is dangerous

Shortness of breath is dangerous What is dyspnea? sign if:

It seems to you that you are suffocating.
You feel pain or tightness in your chest.
Cold sweat and weakness appear along with shortness of breath.
You do not understand what could have caused the shortness of breath.
Shortness of breath appears more often than before. For example, let's say you climb the stairs to your office every day. But lately, you notice that the ascent is getting more and more difficult: you have to stop a couple of times to take a breath.
You cannot take a deep breath.
Shortness of breath appears against a background of increased temperature.

What These Symptoms May Indicate

Diseases Can Be Different What Is Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea)?:

Asthma.
Anaphylactic shock.
Heart attack.
A blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
Choking due to a foreign object entering the respiratory tract.
Lung damage (pneumothorax) caused by a variety of causes, from chest trauma to diseases that destroy lung tissue.
Disturbances in the work of the heart.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
High blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension).
Diabetes.
Pneumonia.
Diseases of the thyroid gland and other hormonal disorders.
Cancer of the lungs and respiratory tract.

In some cases, sudden onset of shortness of breath is the only sign of asymptomatic myocardial infarction.

What to do if shortness of breath is dangerous

Given the variety of causes and the severity of the possible consequences, shortness of breath, which seems dangerous, should never be ignored. See a doctor as soon as possible or call an ambulance if the situation looks threatening (there is at least one of the symptoms listed above).

The doctor will listen to your lungs and heart and order a variety of tests: from a complete blood count to X-rays, computed tomography of the chest and electrocardiogram. Based on the results, you will be offered treatment.

Perhaps everything will work out and the doctor will only advise you to cash in on iron-rich foods, go in for sports and lose weight. But then you will be sure: shortness of breath does not threaten health and life. This is the very case when it is better to overshoot.

Why does bad breath appear?

There are two main reasons - we took each one apart. This question was submitted by our reader. You also ask your question to Lifehacker - if it is interesting, we will definitely answer. Why does bad breath occur? Anonymously Bad breath is scientifically called halitosis Halitosis: