Dyspnea
At RWJBarnabas Health, we understand how distressing shortness of breath can be for patients. The medical term for shortness of breath is dyspnea, which is the uncomfortable feeling that you cannot get enough air into your lungs or breathe deeply enough. Dyspnea can occur for various reasons. Our compassionate team of lung specialists is here to provide the expert care and support you need if you are experiencing shortness of breath.
We combine advanced treatments with a compassionate approach to help uncover the cause of dyspnea and manage it. At RWJBarnabas Health our dedicated lung specialists are committed to helping you breathe easier.
What Is Dyspnea?
Dyspnea is the medical term for shortness of breath. Dyspnea is a symptom of disease, rather than a disease itself.
Dyspnea is the uncomfortable feeling that you are running out of air or are not able to breathe deeply enough so that your breathing feels labored.
In healthy individuals, dyspnea can be the result of exertion, high altitudes or extreme temperatures, but it can also be a sign of a medical problem. Shortness of breath can come on gradually over weeks or months or it can occur more suddenly.
Types of Dyspnea: Acute vs. Chronic Dyspnea
Dyspnea can have many different causes. Acute and chronic dyspnea differ in how quickly shortness of breath starts and how long it lasts.
In acute dyspnea, the symptoms can come on quickly but may not last very long. Serious heart and lung conditions can cause an acute episode, but it can also be triggered by:
- Allergies
- Anxiety
- Exercise
- Illness
In chronic dyspnea, the symptoms can last a long time or keep coming back. Chronic dyspnea can be caused by ongoing health conditions such as:
Causes of Dyspnea
There are many causes for dyspnea, so it is important to discern the root cause. If you experience shortness of breath for no obvious reason or notice it is getting progressively worse, it may be a sign of a more serious medical issue and you should seek medical attention.
If shortness of breath is accompanied by chest pain or pressure, fainting or nausea, this is a medical emergency. Contact 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room.
Dyspnea is often a symptom of heart and lung problems. These organs work together to bring needed oxygen to the bloodstream and remove carbon dioxide. Ending up with too little oxygen or too much carbon dioxide in your blood makes your body work harder to breathe, causing shortness of breath.
In healthy individuals, dyspnea can be due to:
- Strenuous exercise
- Extreme temperatures
- Bad air quality
- High altitude
- Illness
- Obesity
Lung conditions that may lead to dyspnea include:
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Respiratory illness (COVID-19, the flu, bronchitis, viral or bacterial infections)
- Pneumonia
- Inflammation around the lungs
- Fluid or scarring in the lungs
- Lung cancer
- High blood pressure
- Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
- Blood clot in lungs (pulmonary embolism)
- Choking
Heart and blood conditions that may lead to dyspnea include:
- Anemia
- Heart failure
- Conditions affecting the heart muscle
- Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm)
- Inflammation in or around the heart
Other conditions that may lead to dyspnea include:
- Anxiety
- Injury that impacts breathing
- Certain medications
- Extreme temperatures
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Sleep apnea
Signs of Dyspnea
Dyspnea is a symptom and not a disease and can feel different from person to person, depending on its cause. Shortness of breath is the feeling of needing to work hard to get a deep breath or breathe deeply. The sensation of running out of air may be accompanied by other sensations such as chest tightness, rapid breathing or heart rate, or wheezing.
Certain risk factors make dyspnea more likely such as:
- Lack of exercise
- Anemia
- Anxiety
- Heart, lung or breathing problems
- History of smoking
- Respiratory infection
- Obesity
Dyspnea Diagnosis
Our lung specialists at RWJBarnabas Health employ a comprehensive approach to address dyspnea and determine the underlying cause. The process begins with a thorough history and physical examination. Your doctor will ask questions about your experience with shortness of breath such as:
- What triggers or activities make it worse?
- What other symptoms, if any, occur at the same time?
- Does it occur when you are sleeping or lying down?
- Does it come on suddenly or happen often?
- Is it interfering with your normal daily activities?
After a history and physical your doctor may order additional tests to help diagnose the problem including:
- Blood tests to look for anemia or illness
- X-rays, CT scans or other imaging tests to look inside to see your lungs
- Lung function tests to see how well you are breathing
- Cardiopulmonary exercise testing to measure how your body takes in oxygen and lets out carbon dioxide
Treatment for Dyspnea
Treatment for dyspnea depends on first identifying the cause of the symptoms and then working with your health care provider to develop a treatment plan.
If you have a medical condition that is causing shortness of breath, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary fibrosis, it will need to be addressed for symptoms to improve.
Dyspnea can be managed with medication, breathing exercises and physical activity. These treatments can improve your breathing:
- Exercise to strengthen your heart and lungs so they don’t have to work as hard
- Relaxation techniques and breathing exercises to help with underlying breathing conditions and anxiety
- Inhaled drugs called bronchodilators to relax airways in patients with lung conditions, or medication to relieve anxiety
- Extra oxygen (oxygen therapy) to improve blood oxygen levels
Dyspnea Prevention
The best way to prevent dyspnea is to manage any underlying medical conditions that trigger shortness of breath and lead a healthy lifestyle. Talk with your doctor to develop a care plan that includes exercise, medication, breathing treatments or other treatments to address your condition.
In addition, lifestyle changes can help improve dyspnea including:
- Maintaining a healthy weight and healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Quitting smoking
- Practicing breathing exercises or relaxation techniques
- Avoiding being outdoors if air quality is low
- Limiting outdoor activity when it is very hot or very cold
Expert Care for Shortness of Breath
If you are living with shortness of breath on a regular basis, the lung specialists at RWJBarnabas Health can help identify the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan to help manage your symptoms. Although dyspnea may not disappear completely, sometimes even small changes can make a big difference in quality of life.