Shortness of breath is one of the main reasons for going to the doctor. This pathological condition in most cases occurs with excessive physical exertion. If rhythm disturbances appear at rest, this may indicate the presence of serious diseases. How to get rid of shortness of breath and a symptom of what diseases it can appear, we will analyze in the article.
Description
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) is one of the main signs of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. It is characterized by a violation of the rhythm of breathing. The appearance of this symptom may indicate irrational physical activity or the development of pathological changes in the body. A feature in this case will be that if active physical activity became the cause, breathing will be restored within a few minutes, but with serious factors that cause shortness of breath, it will take longer to restore the breathing rhythm.
Classification
Physiological dyspnea is a normal condition and does not require any therapeutic measures. But to determine the cause of the appearance of pathological dyspnea, it is first necessary to determine its type.
Specialists distinguish the following types:
- Respiratory dyspnea. It is characterized by difficulty breathing. It is observed with diphtheria of the larynx, acute respiratory infections and pathologies in which compression of the bronchi occurs (for example, with bronchial asthma).
- Expiratory. It is observed with difficulty exhaling. This type of dyspnea can occur with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Mixed. It is difficult to exhale and inhale. It occurs with serious pathological conditions of the lungs and heart failure.
The severity of shortness of breath is also distinguished:
- 0 degree. Dyspnea occurs only with strong physical exertion.
- 1 degree - easy. Shortness of breath may occur when climbing up or with a quick step.
- 2 degree - medium. Breathing goes astray with normal walking. Periodically, stops are required to rest and stabilize the respiratory rhythm.
- Grade 3 is severe. Dyspnea occurs during the usual step, and stops are required every few minutes.
- Grade 4 is extremely difficult. Shortness of breath is detected even at rest.
Causes
Factors for the occurrence of a pathological condition are very diverse. For convenience, they are usually divided into categories, depending on what disease caused the shortness of breath.
- Physiological. They are not dangerous and arise due to physical activity.
- Respiratory Bronchial asthma, allergies, tuberculosis, pneumonia, poisoning with volatile substances can provoke attacks of shortness of breath.
- Neuromuscular. For example, paralysis of the phrenic nerve.
- Heart disease. The appearance of shortness of breath is often associated with the development of diseases such as heart attack, heart defects, heart failure.
- Vascular
- Pathologies of the lungs - inflammation, diffuse diseases of the organ.
In addition to the above reasons, the following conditions can lead to shortness of breath:
- Head injuries in which the function of the respiratory center is impaired. Also included are neuroinfection.
- Anemia.
- Pregnancy.
- Metabolic disorders.
- Ascites.
- Thyroid disease.
- Neurosis, panic attacks. In this case, there is a feeling of lack of air and compression in the chest.
- Obesity.
- Febrile conditions. Manifested by rapid surface breathing.
- Being in a stuffy room.
Dyspnea with pulmonary disease
Shortness of breath is always a symptom of pathological conditions of the lungs and bronchi. It can occur suddenly or manifest over a long period of time - it all depends on the concomitant disease.
In this category of diseases, the character of dyspnea will be expiratory, often accompanied by discharge of sputum and cough. The airways in which a viscous secret may form will be narrowed.
For example, with bronchial asthma, a person feels sudden attacks of shortage of air. in most cases, this occurs when in contact with an allergen. Normalize the condition will help special medicines that expand the bronchi. If they do not produce a positive result, a life threat may arise.
Dyspnea is also a symptom of diseases such as pneumonia and bronchitis. The degree of its manifestation will depend on the severity of the course of the disease.
One of the most dangerous diseases associated with shortness of breath is airway obstruction. A severe painful cough may bother you. In this case, inspiratory dyspnea is diagnosed, accompanied by noisy breathing.
Dyspnea with cardiovascular disease
With heart disease, shortness of breath is one of the main symptoms. Initially, this condition manifests itself as a slight lack of air that occurs during physical exertion. But as the disease develops, dyspnea worries more and more, manifesting itself even at rest. With the most advanced stages, so-called nocturnal dyspnea may occur. This is a condition in which in a dream an attack of suffocation develops.
Dyspnea in neurotic conditions
Shortness of breath is an integral part of almost all psycho-emotional disorders. A person feels a lack of air, inability to take a breath. There are many reasons for this condition - nervous strain, fears, depressed conditions, and others. In especially advanced cases of mental disorders, false asthma may occur. This condition is characterized by the development of psychogenic shortness of breath, breathing becomes noisy.
Treatment
The cause of an unpleasant symptom can be a large number of factors. Therefore, in order to learn how to get rid of shortness of breath, it is necessary to determine the underlying disease. In most cases, with the effectiveness of its treatment, the symptom disappears. Otherwise, the following treatment measures can be applied:
- Oxygen therapy. Oxygen treatment.
- Bronchodilators.
- Acceptance of anxiolytics, which are prescribed for obstruction.
- Taking antihistamines and antispasmodics.
Medications for shortness of breath in asthma are special anti-asthma drugs that help get rid of all manifestations of the pathology. Unfortunately, in most cases, taking medications for this pathology will be lifelong. In relieving symptoms of bronchial asthma, Eufillin, which is administered intravenously, and glucocorticosteroids have proven themselves well. Drugs that relieve spasm in the bronchi can also be used. These include Fenoterol.
The occurrence of shortness of breath at an older age without proper treatment can lead to dangerous consequences. During treatment, it is very important to get preliminary medical advice and pass the necessary tests. It is worth remembering that all pills for shortness of breath should be used only after consulting with your doctor. But in addition to pathological reasons, there is another explanation for the occurrence of this symptom - the body wears out over time and it is becoming increasingly difficult to fulfill its functions. Therefore, shortness of breath in the elderly can occur with prolonged walking or physical activity.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine offers a large number of ways to treat shortness of breath. Some of them are considered universal, while others can be used only for certain diseases. Therefore, before starting therapy, you should consult your doctor to exclude the development of dangerous consequences.
If the cause of shortness of breath is a pathology of the cardiovascular system, the following treatment may be recommended:
- Infusion of wormwood seeds, mixed with olive oil, which is used in the amount of a few drops per day.
- A mixture of lemon and garlic.
For respiratory diseases, the following recipes are used:
- With the expiratory nature of dyspnea, the use of cranberry or lingonberry infusion is recommended. It is effective.
- With inspiratory dyspnea, an infusion of several herbs may be indicated - thyme, motherwort, cinnamon, blackberry.
- If breathing is difficult with bronchitis, you can breathe steam from boiled potatoes or prepare an infusion of coltsfoot, oregano and marshmallow.
If shortness of breath occurs when walking, treatment with traditional medicine includes the use of hot goat milk with honey or an infusion of seeds and dill branches.
With shortness of breath, the following medicinal plants can be used:
- Liquorice root.
- Hawthorn.
- Melissa.
- Leaves of birch.
But in order to know how to get rid of shortness of breath with the help of traditional medicine, you need to consult a doctor. After all, the use of certain plants can lead to even more serious consequences.
It is important to remember that in the treatment of pathological dyspnea, the use of medicinal plants will not be a priority therapy, but only reduce the manifestations of the underlying disease, which must be treated medically.
Conclusion
Shortness of breath is a common symptom of many diseases, so the treatment in each case will be special. But there are some rules that are recommended to be followed to prevent the occurrence of discomfort.
- In time to cure all diseases.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle.
- Eat properly.
- Regularly humidify the air and ventilate the room.
In order to know how to get rid of shortness of breath, it is necessary to find out the main cause of its occurrence, the treatment of which should be prescribed by a doctor.