Зміст
In the face of recent events, all symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection have been scrutinized. Many people, fearing for their own health, observe alarming symptoms every day. One of them is shortness of breath, which can cause additional stress, which often leads to a visit to the hospital. It turns out that this shortness of breath is very common even in apparently healthy people.
Although this may not always be a symptom of the development of serious diseases, it is better to observe it and pay attention to other accompanying symptoms. Underestimation can lead to the inability to identify other diseases that can lead to serious changes in the respiratory, circulatory and nervous systems and lead to death. So, is there shortness of breath? How does it manifest? When should we see a doctor?
Dyspnea
Shortness of breath is a subjective sensation of shortness of breath or shortness of breath, which can manifest itself in different ways and is most often associated with increased activity of the respiratory muscles. They can appear in people who do not complain of any disease on a daily basis, but mainly accompany those who are struggling with certain chronic diseases. Dyspnea can vary in severity, and activity is due to environmental factors. Most often, however, they are associated with respiratory infections. Shortness of breath can also be the first symptoms of diseases of the cardiovascular system and nervous system.
Shortness of breath symptoms
Shortness of breath is most commonly associated with respiratory infections. They may appear suddenly, then go away on their own after a short time, or get worse over time. They are often accompanied by other symptoms, including fever, shallow wheezing, coughing, blood cough, or chest pressure. Shortness of breath can be a symptom of diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchial asthma and respiratory failure. This is due to insufficient gas exchange, that is, a sufficient amount of oxygen does not enter the body.
Shortness of breath on exertion
Shortness of breath can occur not only with respiratory infections. It can also appear with the slightest effort. A weakened body cannot absorb as much air as it needs. Most often, such shortness of breath occurs in people suffering from problems with the circulatory system, but it can also occur in people who, for example, go in for mountaineering. If we have not complained of any medical conditions, and shortness of breath occurs during exercise, see your doctor. This may indicate the development of cardiac ischemia, the presence of fluid in the bronchial cavity, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Dyspnea at rest
Resting breathlessness can also occur when no physical activity is undertaken. Most often it happens suddenly, even when you are resting, such as when sitting, but the cramps can get worse when you lie down. If shortness of breath occurs in these cases, it may be a cardiovascular problem that requires medical attention. If it is accompanied by anxiety, abdominal pain and headache combined with dizziness, as well as a rapid heartbeat, this indicates a heart attack, i.e. a condition in which you should immediately call an ambulance. If there are no other symptoms during shortness of breath, it should not be taken lightly. It is best to see a doctor for additional tests to rule out hidden cardiovascular disease. Sometimes, shortness of breath can also be the first sign of diabetes.
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath can be very dangerous, especially if they appear suddenly and the patient has not previously complained of other ailments. Shortness of breath combined with a blue body can be extremely dangerous. This usually means that a foreign body has appeared in the respiratory system, which can cause suffocation. In such situations, the victim should be given first aid.
One way is to lean forward (while standing) of the panting person and slap their back into the space between the shoulder blades. Another method is to use the Heimlich maneuver (standing behind the injured person, wrap your arms around the lower chest and abdomen and squeeze them tightly). If it was not possible to remove the foreign body by these methods, you must urgently call an ambulance.
