Are You Experiencing Shortness Of Breath? Do Not Ignore!

Breathlessness may occur for a number of reasons. Do not take shortness of breath for granted. This blog talks about the condition, symptoms of breathlessness and a few easy breathing exercises to manage breathlessness.

‘Dyspnea’ commonly known as breathlessness is a medical concern. You may feel puffed, winded and in some cases breathing may even hurt. There is nothing abnormal to feel short of breath when you exert to an extent BUT if you are frequently short of breath then there could be some underlying medical condition.

‘Shortness of breath’ – what’s that? Who can experience?

Breathlessness is a typical condition where the victim finds it difficult to breathe. It is a condition when your body may need some more amount of oxygen and that’s why you are compelled to breathe faster.

Keep in mind; sudden breathlessness is one of the leading causes of rushing to the emergency room. Moreover; acute and serious breathlessness could be the symptom of lung and heart diseases.

Breathlessness can happen due to a number of health issues such as respiratory infection, anemia, chronic bronchitis, allergies and heart disease.

Although most of the episodes of shortness of breath are often not serious, but you should talk to your doctor if it starts without any obvious reason, if you feel breathless while at rest or if it keeps you awake at night.

Yes, we know, it may be difficult for you to do certain activities when suffering from breathlessness. Try and incorporate a few dietary changes and lifestyle alterations to manage this problem. But most importantly consult your doctor for treatment of the underlying cause.

Here are a few breathing exercises to manage shortness of breath.

Diaphragmatic or abdominal breathing: Deep breathing can help manage shortness of breath. This technique comes handy especially when you may have breathlessness due to COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Here’s how to do it

Step 1: Lie on your back. Place the hands on your abdomen. Now relax all your muscles.

Step 2: Take deep breath through your nose and breathe in. Expand your abdomen and try to fill your lungs with air.

Step 3: Hold your breath for a second or two in the above mentioned position

Step 4: Slowly in fact very slowly breathe out through your mouth. Empty your lungs completely.

Do this breathing exercise for 2 to 3 times a day and for 5 to 10 minutes.

Pursed-lip Breathing: This is yet another common breathing technique that helps manage shortness of breath. It slows down your breathing pace and helps restore normal breathing. Pursed lip breathing is also a great stress buster

Here’s how to do it

Step 1:

 Sit in a comfortable position and relax the shoulder and neck muscles.

Step 2:

 Keep the lips pressed together except the center

Step 3:

 Now inhale for a second or two through the nose

Step 4:

 Now slowly exhale through the pursed lip

Step 5:

 Continue this exercise for 10 minutes.

Try these two breathing techniques whenever or wherever you start to feel short of breath.

Dial 911: Keep in mind; when breathing exercise or sitting, resting or lying in comfortable body position does not serve the purpose call 911. As we have already discussed breathlessness may have many underlying causes. So, we recommend that you use your best judgments and call 911. Honestly an informed decision can strike the difference between life and death!

This information is not intended to replace the medical advice or treatment. Consult with your doctor for further advice