Why I Have Shortness Of Breath, Is It Asthma?
BLOG- I have shortness of breath, is it Asthma?
Feeling short of breath can be an uncomfortable or frightening experience. The medical term for shortness of breath is dyspnea. This can start suddenly, over minutes to hours. It can also happen over a longer period of time, from weeks to months. It can be caused by problems with the lungs or with the heart, or by a low blood count, but its specific cause can sometimes take a while to pinpoint.
Many cases of shortness of breath have a simple underlying cause such as respiratory tract infections or allergies.
Different medical conditions can cause shortness of breath.
Acute: The most common causes of shortness of breath that starts suddenly are:
• Lung diseases, such as asthma, infections, or …show more content…
Chronic: The most common causes of shortness of breath that happens over weeks to months are:
• Lung diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – Both of these conditions can make it hard to breathe. COPD is usually caused by smoking.
• Heart diseases, such as heart failure or a change in the size and shape of the heart (called cardiomyopathy)
• Being overweight
Identification of the underlying cause of shortness of breath:
The doctor can get information about your condition by listening to the description of the problem, and by asking about any other symptoms that may have occurred.
Lung examination—the doctor will listen for wheezing, decreased breath sounds, and disturbed airflow. Sometimes persons with asthma will also have pneumonia (infection of lung), a cold, bronchitis, or other lung problems that make their asthma symptoms worse.
Tests —
Following tests may help to help diagnose the problem:
Blood test can help in identifying anaemia- a condition that affects the blood's ability to carry oxygen.
Chest x-ray can help in identifying pneumonia, or lung inflammation or
Feeling short of breath can be an uncomfortable or frightening experience. The medical term for shortness of breath is dyspnea. This can start suddenly, over minutes to hours. It can also happen over a longer period of time, from weeks to months. It can be caused by problems with the lungs or with the heart, or by a low blood count, but its specific cause can sometimes take a while to pinpoint.
Many cases of shortness of breath have a simple underlying cause such as respiratory tract infections or allergies.
Different medical conditions can cause shortness of breath.
Acute: The most common causes of shortness of breath that starts suddenly are:
• Lung diseases, such as asthma, infections, or …show more content…
Chronic: The most common causes of shortness of breath that happens over weeks to months are:
• Lung diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – Both of these conditions can make it hard to breathe. COPD is usually caused by smoking.
• Heart diseases, such as heart failure or a change in the size and shape of the heart (called cardiomyopathy)
• Being overweight
Identification of the underlying cause of shortness of breath:
The doctor can get information about your condition by listening to the description of the problem, and by asking about any other symptoms that may have occurred.
Lung examination—the doctor will listen for wheezing, decreased breath sounds, and disturbed airflow. Sometimes persons with asthma will also have pneumonia (infection of lung), a cold, bronchitis, or other lung problems that make their asthma symptoms worse.
Tests —
Following tests may help to help diagnose the problem:
Blood test can help in identifying anaemia- a condition that affects the blood's ability to carry oxygen.
Chest x-ray can help in identifying pneumonia, or lung inflammation or