Breathlessness during Difficult Efforts

Breathlessness / Shortness of Breath / Dyspnea Treatment

Breathlessness or shortness of breath is a symptom that can affect any one at any age for various reasons and similarly the diagnosis is different in each of the cases. Dyspnea or breathlessness is defined as “ A subjective experience of breathing discomfort that consists of qualitatively distinct sensations that vary in intensity” by the American Thoracic Society. American Thoracic Society recommends people to opt for professional medical help according to the amount of discomfort felt, the intensity of the discomfort, the frequency of the discomfort and most importantly the effect it is having on one’s daily activities and everyday life.
Breathlessness or Dyspnea can occur in people due to various minor reasons like exertion of some kind, but it becomes serious and likewise should be treated with immediate care if it occurs unexpectedly or becomes too severe.

Causes of breathlessness

• Pneumonia

• Interstitial lung disease

• Asthma

• Cardiac ischemia

• Congestive heart failure

• pulmonary diseases

• Bronchitis

• Cystic fibrosis

• Emphysema

• Hookworm disease

• Atelictasis

• Lung cancer and many more

Treatments for breathlessness are

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is an excellent mode of treatment for breathlessness and shows miraculous results for majority of the patients. Physiotherapy is really helpful for people with neurological disorders and for those whose muscles need ventilation. In these cases there are still different methods of physiotherapy like the cough techniques, breath staking knowledge about body postures etc.

Palliative

Along with these above mentioned procedures, this technique is also helpful through regular exclusion of opioids from the body. Pulmonary rehabilitation may enhance the procedure in some patients but it does not help in curing it completely. Cognitive behavioural therapy can also be very helpful in some cases.
Proper treatment will help in relieving breathlessness, enhancing lung condition, reduce anxiety and panic, reduces sticky phelgm, reduce inflammation of lungs etc.
The different people that will help you in different cases are your physiotherapist who will guide you with your excersise, your Dietecian will help you with proper diet to make your body function properly, an occasional therapist to help you do all your other tasks properly.

How to cure breathlessness

• learn pursed lips breathing
• get informed properly about your problem
• drink plenty of water
• exercise properly
• get proper sleep
• know and try to avoid your triggers
• eat well
• get your vaccines
• get proper medication
• de- stress yourself
• avoid smoking.
• lose weight
• place your hand on your stomach
• breathe through your nose
• while exhaling, try to tighten your muscles

It has to be noticed that a number of lung conditions can cause breathlessness. Things like wheezing, coughing, sneezing, chest tightness can all lead to breathlessness and may in turn be symptoms of inflammation in one’s Lung or pneumonia.
In case of severe breathlessness, get properly diagnosed and your doctor should be able to help you your breathing exercise. Relaxing yourself is also extremely important in these situation.
Thus breathlessness can be treated very easily with proper guidance and treatment. But nonetheless proper care has to be taken and Crystal Dental Centre New Delhi, India can guide you along.

Authored by Dr. ABHIMANYU CHATURVEDI