Shortness of breath can be scary, but there are several ways to relieve it. It can occur due to an underlying medical condition or in healthy people due to extreme cold or heat, obesity, and strenuous exercises. Today, experiencing shortness of breath in Otsego is scarier since it could be a sign of COVID-19, the global pandemic. You should never expect the symptom to go away on its own, and you should seek emergency care from your doctor. Here is what you should do when you experience shortness of breath.
Reach Your Doctor Immediately
Shortness of breath is life-threatening and should be addressed immediately. No matter the reason behind the symptom, you should contact or visit your doctor directly for expert diagnosis and advice. Even if you expect it to be due to strenuous exercises, you should seek medical attention first. Your doctor will evaluate the reasons behind your shortness of breath and draft the best treatment for you. You might have to make some lifestyle changes to alleviate better and manage your breathing issues. You should call an emergency service when your shortness comes suddenly, and you experience nausea, chest pain, or fainting.
Managing Acute Shortness of Breath
Your breathing symptoms are considered acute if they occur suddenly and are inconsistent. You will require immediate medical attention, and your doctor will advise the best treatment option to manage the underlying cause. The most common issues possibly leading to your shortness of breath include asthma, heart failure, excess fluid in your heart, carbon monoxide poisoning, pneumonia, sudden blood loss, and low blood pressure. Your treatment plan will depend on what exactly is causing your symptoms. For asthma, you might have to wait until the effect subdues.
Managing Chronic Shortness of Breath
It is chronic when your shortness of breath is not a one-time occurrence. If the symptoms are ongoing and only getting worse over time, you might not eliminate them, but you can take the necessary steps to minimize the recurrences. Obesity, interstitial lung disease, heart dysfunction, deconditioning, COPD, and asthma are common causes of chronic shortness of breath.
Manage Your Stress and Anxiety
If you are prone to panic attacks, you are more likely to experience shortness of breath due to stress or anxiety. Understand your stress levels and discuss the best coping mechanism you can adapt to help you be calm with your doctor. It will help you alleviate the chest tension you are experiencing and enable you to breathe easily. You can explore stress-relieving actions like yoga, nature walking, and meditation. You can also ensure you rest adequately and find someone you can trust to open up your issues to them.
Managing the Underlying Cause
Ensure you work with your doctor to create the most effective treatment option for you. Your doctor might recommend some medications, an oxygen machine, or an inhaler depending on the underlying causes of your symptoms. Anxiety-related shortness of breath can be managed through anxiety medications. An inhaler will be prescribed where COPD and Asthma are behind your symptoms. Other treatments can include antihistamine medications for allergies and oxygen treatments where your lungs cannot take in enough oxygen.
Shortness of breath is a symptom you can never ignore or wait for it to go away on its own. Reach out to the GatherWell specialists for immediate medical attention when you experience the symptoms. You can also contact them for general inquiries and make your online appointments for help.
