What is the cause of sudden shortness of breath, and what are the therapeutic measures that help relieve it? Sudden shortness of breath is a common and disturbing symptom that worries the patient and motivates him to consult a doctor as soon as possible to obtain the appropriate medication, and the causes of the previous disorder differ from one case to another, and in this article through the contents of the site will answer the previous questions.
What is the cause of sudden shortness of breath?
What is the cause of sudden shortness of breath and is shortness of breath a serious symptom? First of all, shortness of breath is defined as the inability to take enough breath, so the patient feels hungry for air and is unable to inhale his need. The causes of sudden shortness of breath can be classified into the following:
Unsatisfactory reasons
Sudden shortness of breath can be due to unsatisfactory and simple reasons, as it lasts in this case for a short period and goes away without any treatment, the most important of which are:
- Climbing to high altitudes: The amount of oxygen in the air decreases with the increase in altitude, and therefore the amount of this gas is very little on the slopes of mountains, and in high-altitude places, and since oxygen is the gas necessary for life, it is natural that ascent to high altitudes from Causes of sudden shortness of breath.
- Sudden temperature changes: Sudden temperature changes are a common cause of respiratory distress, as the entry of hot air into the respiratory tract leads to an increase in secretions inside, and cold air similarly affects the respiratory system.
- Excessive work: It can be said that overwork is a common cause of shortness of breath, as the lower respiratory tracts spasm when a person exerts a great deal of effort, and rigorous exercise may lead to respiratory and heart disorders in some cases.
satisfactory reasons
In the context of answering the question what is the cause of sudden shortness of breath, the group of pathological causes of sudden shortness of breath will be mentioned as follows:
- Severe anemia: red blood cells work to transport oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, and therefore any deficiency in the number of these cells or disruption of their function will cause shortness of breath, fatigue, and constant exhaustion.
- Anxiety and tension: Anxiety and stress greatly affect all parts of the body, as bronchospasm is a common consequence of mental disorders. Which causes sudden and severe shortness of breath.
- Hiatal hernia: Hiatal hernia is defined as an expansion of the esophageal hernia in the diaphragm muscle, the stomach protrudes into the chest cavity, and presses on the adjacent lung tissue, causing the patient to suffer sudden shortness of breath, and may faint in severe cases.
- Hypersensitivity: The allergic patient suffers from a narrowing of the respiratory bronchi and an increase in secretions within them. Asthma patients are a good example of this case. Therefore, doctors advise these patients to have a nebulizer to expand the respiratory pathways when exposed to serious attacks.
- Infection with digestive parasitic diseases: It can be said that anemia is an almost certain result of infection with digestive parasitic diseases, such as various intestinal worms that live in the patient’s intestines and feed on his blood. Shortness of breath results from anemia and a decrease in the number of functional red blood cells in the patient.
- Myasthenia gravis: Myasthenia gravis is associated with weakness in the chest muscles that become unable to contract normally to support breathing movements, and therefore these patients should adhere to the treatment plan carefully to avoid possible complications.
- Pulmonary disorders: It can be said that the lung is the most important organ in the respiratory system, and therefore any injury to it may affect the breathing process and cause chest tightness for the patient.
- Cardiac disorders: Some cardiac disorders are associated with poor blood flow to the lungs and the rest of the body, resulting in shortness of breath, dizziness, vertigo, and possibly fainting in severe cases.
- Incidence of lung cancer: Lung cancer is considered one of the most dangerous respiratory diseases that affect the patient’s quality of life and the nature of the work he can do. Shortness of breath caused by lung cancer is accompanied by a set of symptoms such as fatigue, exhaustion, hemoptysis, and others.
Cases of sudden shortness of breath that require a doctor's consultation
In the context of answering the question what is the cause of sudden shortness of breath, a group of sudden shortness of breath will be mentioned that require consulting a doctor, such as:
- The patient's condition developed and symptoms increased day by day.
- The inability of the patient to carry out normal daily chores and non-stressful activities.
- Accumulation of fluid in the body, especially in the lower extremities (legs and ankles), indicates the presence of advanced heart disease.
- Sudden shortness of breath accompanied by high temperature and chills, which is important evidence of lung infections.
- The general condition declines when sitting or lying on the back, as this condition is considered a sign of congestive heart failure.
- Shortness of breath was accompanied by severe pain in the center of the chest, with this pain spreading to the neck and arm on the left side.
- Paleness of the patient, turning blue, especially the lips and fingers.
sudden shortness of breath treatment
After answering the question what is the cause of sudden shortness of breath and mentioning the serious cases accompanying shortness of breath, some treatment measures that have proven effective in this area will be addressed:
- Bronchodilators that help treat bronchospasm.
- Lung stimulants stimulate the proliferation of lung cells.
- Anti-anxiety medications help treat respiratory disorders and calm the patient.
- Pain relievers relieve pain caused by heart disorders or injury to the muscles of the chest wall.
And here the article ends where the answer is what is the cause of sudden shortness of breath, as well as the serious cases associated with the condition, and finally, the treatment of sudden shortness of breath was mentioned.