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Causes of Dyspnea

by | Jan 6, 2023 | Info | 0 comments

Dyspnea Overview

Dyspnea is the medical term for shortness of breath. It is a symptom of many conditions that affect the respiratory system.

Shortness of breath can range from mild and temporary to serious and long lasting. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose and treat dyspnea because there can be many different causes.

It is a common problem. Around 1 in every 4 people who visit emergency services have dyspnea.

Dyspnea described as not being able to get enough air (“air hunger”), chest tightness or working harder to breathe.

Shortness of breath is often a symptom of heart and lung problems. But it can also be a sign of other conditions like anxiety, asthma or allergies. Having a cold or doing intense exercise can also make you feel breathless.

Types of Dyspnea

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND)

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) is a feeling like you can’t breathe an hour or two after falling asleep. Sighing dyspnea is when you sigh a lot after taking deep breaths in to try to relieve the feeling of dyspnea.

Acute Dyspnea

Acute dyspnea can come on quickly and doesn’t last very long (hours to days). Allergies, anxiety, exercise and illness (like the common cold or the flu) can cause acute dyspnea. More serious conditions, like a heart attack, sudden airway narrowing (anaphylaxis) or blood clot (pulmonary embolism) can also cause acute dyspnea.

Causes of Dyspnea

An episode of dyspnea is not always directly related to an individual’s health. A person can feel short of breath after intense exercise when traveling to a high altitude or through major temperature changes.

However, dyspnea usually relates to health problems. Sometimes, it is just a case of inactivity, and exercise can improve symptoms. However, dyspnea can be a sign of a serious health issue.

If shortness of breath starts suddenly, it is an acute case of dyspnea.

Acute dyspnea could be due to:

Dyspnea is also common among patients with a terminal illness. If a person experiences shortness of breath for over a month, the condition is called chronic dyspnea.

Chronic dyspnea could be due to:

Lung Conditions

Some additional lung conditions may also cause shortness of breath.

Examples are:

  • Croup
  • Traumatic lung injury
  • Lung cancer
  • Pleurisy, an Inflammation in the tissues surrounding the lungs 
  • Pulmonary edema, which is when too much fluid collects in the lungs
  • Pulmonary hypertension, which is when the blood pressure in the arteries to the lungs rises
  • Sarcoidosis, which is when clusters of inflammatory cells grow in the lungs


Triggers

Environmental pollutants can trigger bouts of dyspnea or make a person more likely to experience it. These include:

  • Living or working in dusty conditions
  • Inhalation of chemicals and fumes
  • Living or working around mold
  • Smoking

Dyspnea Affected Groups

Dyspnea can affect specific groups of individuals in different ways:

  • Pregnant women: Mild symptoms of dyspnea are common during pregnancy. This is because pregnancy alters a person’s breathing capacity.
  • Older adults: Dyspnea is common among older adults. One Canadian study found that 1 in 5 older adults experienced dyspnea symptoms when climbing stairs or walking uphill.
  • Infants: Diseases of the upper respiratory system that cause acute dyspnea are one of the most common causes of shortness of breath in infants.


Signs and Symptoms of Dyspnea

Dyspnea can happen due to overexertion, spending time at high altitudes, or as a symptom of several conditions.

Signs that a patient is experiencing dyspnea include:

  • Coughing
  • Feelings of being smothered or suffocated
  • Heart palpitations
  • Labored breathing
  • Rapid, shallow breathing
  • Shortness of breath after exertion
  • Tightness in the chest
  • Wheezing

If dyspnea occurs suddenly or if symptoms are severe, it may be a sign of a serious medical condition.

Diagnosis of Dyspnea

A doctor will usually be able to diagnose dyspnea based on a complete physical examination of the person, along with a full description of their experiences.

A person will need to explain how and when their attacks of dyspnea started, how long they last, how frequently they occur, and how severe they are.

Doctors may order other diagnostic tests, including the following:

  • X-ray scans: Doctors may use chest X-rays to evaluate the health of the person’s heart, lungs, and related systems.
  • Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan: CT scans can produce a more detailed image of the body than X-ray scans.
  • Electrocardiograms: This test may help to show any signs of a heart attack or other electrical problems in the heart.
  • Spirometry tests: Spirometry tests measure the airflow and the patient’s lung capacity. This can help to pinpoint the type and the extent of an individual’s breathing problems.

Treatment of Dyspnea

Treatment of dyspnea will depend on the cause of the problem. A person short of breath due to overexertion will probably get their breath back once they stop and relax.

In more severe cases, a patient may require supplemental oxygen. Those with asthma or COPD may have an inhaled rescue bronchodilator to use when necessary. However, not everyone with shortness of breath will have low blood oxygen levels.

For those with chronic conditions, such as COPD, a healthcare professional will work with the individual to help them breathe more easily. This will involve developing a treatment plan that helps to prevent acute episodes and slow down the progression of the overall disease.

Medications

In cases of dyspnea due to asthma, it typically responds well to medications such as bronchodilators and steroids.

When it is due to an infection such as bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics can bring relief.

Other medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and anti-anxiety drugs, can also be effective.

Breathing troubles stemming from COPD can improve with special breathing techniques, such as pursed-lip breathing and breathing muscle-strengthening exercises. People can learn how to do these in pulmonary rehabilitation programs.


Prevention of Dyspnea

Individuals with dyspnea can take measures to improve their overall health and give themselves more breathing room.

These include:

  • Avoiding second-hand smoke where possible
  • Exercising to strengthen the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
  • Avoiding other environmental triggers such as chemical fumes and wood smoke
  • Take time adjusting to higher altitudes
  • Quitting smoking


Prognosis of Dyspnea

The prognosis for patients with dyspnea depends on the causes.

If the underlying condition can be successfully treated and improved, such as pneumonia or non-severe asthma, then breathing problems may be eliminated or greatly reduced.

However, if shortness of breath is due to serious or chronic diseases that worsen over time, such as chronic heart failure, severe asthma, or COPD, improvement may be limited.

Patients with dyspnea need to work with their healthcare professional to develop and follow a comprehensive treatment plan.

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