Our Services / Shortness of Breath

What is shortness of breath?

Experiencing shortness of breath once in a while and with an obvious cause is normal, but persistent shortness of breath can be due to a serious health condition that needs treatment. 

You might experience shortness of breath every so often after climbing stairs or running, for example. However, you should report long-term or recurring shortness of breath without an obvious cause to your physician. 

Shortness of breath is also called dyspnea and often comes with chest tightness or pressure, wheezing, and feeling like you can’t take in enough air when you inhale. Fortunately, the team at Arizona Chest & Sleep Medicine is prepared to explore the possible causes of your breathing problems and reach a conclusive diagnosis. 

Which conditions cause shortness of breath?

Conditions involving the heart and lungs are often responsible for causing shortness of breath, but there are other less severe causes, too. The team at Arizona Chest & Sleep Medicine is thorough in their diagnostic evaluation and explains the causes behind your breathing problems in detail. 

You may experience severe or recurrent shortness of breath due to:

• Stress and anxiety
• Airway obstruction
• Pneumonia
• Covid-19
• Fluid buildup around the lungs or heart
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart dysfunction or infection
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Asthma

Once you have your diagnosis, the team at Arizona Chest & Sleep Medicine develops a treatment plan that helps you manage symptoms and reduce the risk of any possible complications. 

How is shortness of breath treated?

Treatment for shortness of breath depends on the underlying cause of the symptoms, so it varies widely from case to case. You may need to engage in multiple treatments or make some changes to your lifestyle to manage your shortness of breath. 

A few options to manage shortness of breath are:

• A home humidifier
• Supplemental oxygen
• Incentive spirometer
• Light exercise
• Sleeping with your head elevated

Many people experience anxiety as a result of their shortness of breath. When that happens, the team at Arizona Chest & Sleep Medicine may recommend breathing exercises or meditation to help calm you down and maintain your breathing rate. 

Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment over the phone or online right away at Arizona Chest & Sleep Medicine if you have concerns about shortness of breath.