Breathlessness: causes and practical advice

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Extract from the article: Shortness of breath is also known as dyspnoea. It is the subjective sensation that it is difficult to breathe and that the air does not reach the lungs properly. Normally, breathing is involuntary and unconscious. When there is this lack of air, an u

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Shortness of breath is also known as dyspnoea. It is the subjective sensation that it is difficult to breathe and that the air does not reach the lungs properly. Normally, breathing is involuntary and unconscious. When there is this lack of air, an uncomfortable situation arises that can even cause fear in the person. It can be due to a number of causes. It is a very unpleasant sensation and, beyond that, it can be the manifestation of serious health problems. When faced with this sensation, it's important to know what to do.

Breathlessness is a normal sensation after intense effort. It is caused by an increase in the rate of breathing, which allows the body to increase the supply of oxygen. Breathlessness becomes a problem when it occurs after little or no effort, gets worse or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as chest pain or leg oedema.

Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the main causes of breathlessness in people with no other health problems. Faced with an anxiety attack, panic attack or situations of intense stress, a person may experience shortness of breath or feel as if they are drowning. In such cases, learn to identify these attacks. When the time comes, sit down and try to calm down. Breathe normally to control the episode.

Too much exercise

Sometimes, too much exercise or poorly performed exercise can lead to breathlessness. This can happen to people who are used to doing sport as well as those who are out of shape. However, it is more common in sedentary or overweight people. In these cases, it means adapting the activity to the physical condition and increasing the intensity according to ability. When you feel out of breath, you need to slow down the pace of the exercise and calm your breathing without feeling overwhelmed.

Heart problems

The heart pumps blood throughout the body. When the heart, for various reasons, is not functioning properly, this pumping of blood cannot be carried out correctly. This happens when a person with heart problems performs an activity that requires an increase in heart rate. This means that certain parts of the body are not receiving the blood and oxygen they need, which sends a signal to the central nervous system and manifests itself as a sensation of shortness of breath. It may be accompanied by chest pains. In these cases, consult a cardiologist.

Pregnancy

When pregnancy is advanced, the placenta and the baby mean that the mother's diaphragm has less room to expand.As a result, the lungs cannot expand properly either, causing the mother to feel breathless.This is normal for most pregnant women.Stay calm.Sitting on a comfortable surface can help to control this sensation. Try to breathe normally.

Breathing problems

Allergy attacks, asthma, bronchitis, COPD, pneumonia or any other respiratory tract condition can make you feel short of breath.Dyspnoea or breathlessness is one of the symptoms of infection by the coronavirus, Covid-19.Consult a specialist.The doctor will be responsible for diagnosing the respiratory pathology being treated and establishing the appropriate treatment, if necessary.Treatment may range from rest to more specific treatments.

Obesity

When fat accumulates in the abdominal area, it presses on the diaphragm and makes it difficult to expand, causing the uncomfortable sensation of shortness of breath. In this case, consult a specialist in nutrition and dietetics, who will give you some advice on how to lose weight in a healthy and responsible way.

Neuromuscular diseases

There are various neuromuscular diseases that can affect both the diaphragm and the muscles of the thoracic surface, rendering the respiratory system ineffective.In these cases, it is the specialist who will make the diagnosis and establish the appropriate treatment.

What should you do if you feel breathless?

When you feel breathless, the most important thing is to remain calm.Sit down in a safe, quiet place and try to control your breathing.If, after a while, the situation does not return to normal, go to the doctor or call the emergency services, depending on the intensity of the symptoms. If dyspnoea is caused by other basic illnesses, consult a specialist for the necessary check-ups. Follow the treatment indicated by the specialist to control symptoms as much as possible.

Recipe: 1 litre of water. 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder.3 tablespoons honey. 1 ginger root. 01 onion.Bring the water, finely chopped onion and grated ginger to the boil in a saucepan over a low heat.When the mixture starts to boil, add the turmeric powder. Remove from the heat. Once cool, add the honey and stir.Filter the mixture and place in a suitable container, preferably glass, to keep in a cool place. Consume 2 tablespoons of this drink every day for a fortnight, in the morning on an empty stomach and in the evening, two hours before dinner.

William O.