As a doctor who has been working as a medical practitioner for many years, I often meet a variety of patients who come to the clinic for shortness of breath. Shortness of breath, the feeling of never getting enough air, often makes the patient feel anxious and helpless. Today, I would like to share an impressive case and an analysis of several etiologies that may be hidden behind this common symptom.
About two months ago, a middle-aged lady came to my office in a hurry, and her complaint was that no matter how hard she tried, she felt like she couldn't breathe. She described how even sitting still felt like she had just finished a marathon. At first glance it may have been just a normal symptom caused by overwork or nervousness, but after detailed questioning and an initial physical examination, I noticed a slight cyanosis of her lips, which is a sign of hypoxia and should not normally be seen in simple fatigue.
Further examinations and tests revealed the true cause – she had an undiagnosed mild heart valve disease. This condition caused her heart to be unable to pump blood efficiently, causing shortness of breath. This case highlights that shortness of breath can be a warning sign of some serious health problems, rather than just a simple result of physical exertion.
What is shortness of breath
Shortness of breath, commonly known medically as dyspnea, is a subjective feeling of increased breathing effort or a feeling of not getting enough air. Many people may simply blame shortness of breath on fatigue or temporary discomfort after daily activities, but it can be a warning sign of a variety of health problems.
Shortness of breath is not just a feeling of "not breathing," but it can also be accompanied by a sense of urgency, shallow breathing, or labored breathing. This sensation may appear after engaging in light activity, or even at rest. Shortness of breath can occur suddenly, called acute shortness of breath, or it can develop gradually and become chronic.
Identifying whether shortness of breath is normal can be judged based on a few simple indicators. For example, normal light to moderate activities, such as walking or climbing stairs, should not cause severe breathing difficulties. If you feel short of breath without doing a lot of physical activity, or find yourself unable to do some regular activities without feeling out of breath, it could be a sign from your body that you may have a health problem.
Analysis of major causes
When experiencing shortness of breath, the first thing that many people may think of is that they are just too tired. However, if this happens frequently and you feel out of breath even without obvious physical exertion, then it could be a sign of some more serious health problems. Here, we'll explore three common causes of shortness of breath that can lead to shortness of breath in addition to ordinary fatigue.
1. Heart disease
Heart disease is a very important cause of shortness of breath, especially cardiac insufficiency. When the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, other parts of the body, especially the lungs, may accumulate excess fluid due to poor blood circulation. This condition can cause cardiac dyspnea, especially after activity or when lying down. If you find yourself feeling unusually tired or out of breath after doing light activity, or need extra pillows to breathe comfortably at night, this could be a warning sign of a heart problem.
2. Lung disease
Lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and pulmonary fibrosis, are also common causes of shortness of breath. These diseases usually affect the ability of the lungs to circulate air, causing inflammation or obstruction of the airways. For example, people with asthma may experience difficulty breathing after being exposed to allergens or after an infection. It's important to watch for changes in the pattern of shortness of breath, such as shortness of breath accompanied by wheezing (a loud sound when breathing), which may be a sign that you need to see a doctor.
3. Anemia
Anemia is due to low levels of hemoglobin, which leads to a decrease in the blood's ability to carry oxygen. Oxygen is essential for cells to produce energy, and a lack of oxygen can lead to a decline in organ function, including the heart and muscles, manifesting as fatigue and shortness of breath. If you feel like you're feeling tired or short of breath easily even if you don't do a lot of physical work, this can be a sign of anemia. Common symptoms of anemia also include pale skin and a feeling of fainting.
How to self-monitor and initial self-check for shortness of breath
When faced with the symptoms of shortness of breath, it is very important to be able to perform initial self-monitoring and self-examination. Not only will this help you determine when you need to seek professional medical help, but it will also provide your doctor with critical information for faster diagnosis and treatment. Here are some simple steps and tips to help you monitor and self-check for shortness of breath symptoms in your daily life.
1. Monitor your respiratory rate
Method: Sit down in a quiet state and count the number of breaths in one minute. A normal adult usually has a resting breathing rate of between 12 and 20 breaths.
Recording: Record your respiratory rate at the same time each day, noting if it tends to increase.
2. Pay attention to the quality of your breathing
Self-observation: Pay attention to whether you feel shallow breathing or if you are struggling to breathe. Whether you feel short of breath after doing light activities, such as walking around your home.
Record your feelings: Record the activities you feel short of breath after activities, such as climbing stairs or walking briskly.
3. Use a breath chart or app
Tool introduction: There are many mobile phone apps that can help monitor respiratory health, such as respiratory rate monitors and health monitoring apps.
Suggested Use: Use these tools regularly to record and track changes in your breathing patterns.
4. Assess chest comfort
Self-examination method: Gently press on the chest to feel discomfort, tenderness, or persistent pain.
Importance: Chest pain or persistent chest discomfort can be a sign of heart disease or other serious conditions.
5. Listen to the sound of breathing
How to do it: You can ask family members to close to your back and chest as you take a deep breath to listen for unusual sounds, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing.
When to be alert: If you breathe with loud sounds, such as wheezing or severe wheezing, it may indicate a lung problem.
6. Pay attention to any other concomitant symptoms
Concern: Watch for other symptoms such as persistent cough, fatigue, pallor or cyanosis.
Record and report: These symptoms should be recorded and reported to your doctor when you see your doctor.