Undoubtedly, there are many breathing problems in adults, each with its own different treatment plans. In addition, there are also many ways to support breathing, whether using inhalers or adopting a healthy lifestyle that enhances the patient's ability to breathe comfortably.
Breathing Problems in Adults
According to many statistics and studies, breathing problems in adults are among the most common health problems suffered by a large number of patients around the world for multiple reasons. Difficulty or shortness of breath is always accompanied by well-known symptoms, the most important of which are the inability to breathe easily and chest pain.
What Is Shortness of Breath?
Simply put, shortness of breath is the feeling of being unable to inhale air and therefore not getting enough air, specifically oxygen, into the lungs.
Sometimes, a person may feel short of breath naturally without a medical cause when exercising or doing strenuous physical work because the body needs more oxygen, but at other times, shortness of breath may be caused by a health problem.
It is worth noting that some health problems cause acute shortness of breath, where symptoms appear suddenly and disappear with treatment, while other conditions cause chronic shortness of breath, and here the patient needs continuous respiratory support, whether through treatment or inhalers.
Common Causes of Breathing Problems in Adults
Before discussing the causes of breathing difficulties in adults, it's worth noting that some people may experience shortness of breath due to obesity or after strenuous exercise. Scientists confirm that the lower the physical fitness level, the greater the feeling of shortness of breath.
Furthermore, panic attack disorders, such as at high altitude, and women during pregnancy may experience shortness of breath.
On the other hand, the most prominent medical causes of breathing problems in adults are:
Respiratory diseases, including lung problems such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Patients with bronchitis, pneumonia, Sinusitis, COVID-19, influenza, and the common cold often experience severe breathing difficulties.
Heart attacks, heart failure, and other heart conditions.
Severe anemia sometimes leads to shortness of breath.
Allergic reactions or severe low blood pressure.
Symptoms That May Accompany Breathing Problems
The symptoms always depend on the underlying cause of the shortness of breath, as follows:
Chest infection
The symptoms that accompany breathing problems in adults, in the case of catching a cold or respiratory tract infection, include fever, cough, sore throat, and a runny nose and congestion.
Lung disorders
If shortness of breath is caused by a lung problem, the symptoms will include coughing, thick mucus, wheezing, and the severity of the symptoms increases at night and when exerting effort.
Heart Problems
When breathing difficulties in adults are related to the heart, patients may experience difficulty breathing when lying down or exerting physical effort, and this may also be accompanied by chest pain, rapid heartbeat, leg swelling, dizziness, and nausea.
Panic attacks
Panic attacks, anxiety, fear, and tension are among the most common causes of shortness of breath that many individuals suffer from. The breathing problems here may be accompanied by fainting, rapid heartbeat, severe dizziness, shaking, nervousness, and loss of balance.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Help
If you notice that you are experiencing shortness of breath, especially with exertion, or discomfort while breathing for an unexplained reason, you should consult a doctor to find out the cause. However, some medical cases of breathing problems in adults require immediate emergency medical care when accompanied by some serious symptoms, such as:
Experience severe pain in their chest, arm, or jaw.
Sweaty, pale skin with blue lips.
If the patient is unable to speak or only utters a few words with difficulty.
When the patient feels drowsy or seriously confused
What must you do while waiting for an ambulance?
If someone in your home, workplace, or anywhere else is experiencing shortness of breath and needs immediate medical attention, you should remain as calm as possible and help them breathe until the ambulance arrives, following any instructions recommended by the treating physician in such situations, such as using an asthma inhaler, and so on.
How Are Breathing Problems Diagnosed?
By reviewing the patient's medical history, observing symptoms, and measuring their oxygen levels, the doctor can diagnose the cause of shortness of breath.
However, the patient may also be advised to undergo further tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as:
A chest CT scan or X-ray
Medical tests will be conducted to assess lung function.
Perform an electrocardiogram (ECG), especially if the symptoms accompanying shortness of breath indicate a heart problem.
It is worth noting that when diagnosing the cause of shortness of breath, the doctor may rely solely on the symptoms and medical history or may request one or more confirmatory tests depending on the requirements of each case.
Treatment Options for Breathing Problems
Treatment for breathing problems in adults depends primarily on the cause of the shortness of breath, the severity of the discomfort, the frequency of episodes, and their onset. The key treatments include:
Using an oxygen mask
Using medications such as those in nebulizers
Practicing respiratory physiotherapy, especially breathing exercises, such as pursed lip breathing or belly breathing , is also one of the most important long-term treatments for shortness of breath.
Quit smoking.
As for temporary or physiological causes of shortness of breath, such as pregnancy, low blood pressure, or anemia, once the cause has passed, there is no recurrence of shortness of breath.
Can Medical Devices Help Manage Breathing Problems?
Certainly, using certain medical devices such as nebulizers or inhalers can help treat breathing problems in adults, especially for patients with asthma and pneumonia, provided that purchasing these devices from a trusted home medical equipment supplier in UAE, such as MyMedLink store.
That’s because using an inhaler or nebulizer makes breathing more comfortable and regular for the patient, ensures that the medication reaches the lungs directly within a few seconds, prevents contraindications, and suits patients of all ages.
How to Prevent Shortness of Breath
You can protect yourself from shortness of breath by quitting smoking (if you are a smoker), following a healthy diet to lose weight (if you are obese), exercising in moderation, and generally following a healthy lifestyle.
Here are some more important tips to avoid breathing difficulties:
Do not neglect to take any medications prescribed by your doctor to improve your breathing.
Avoid secondhand smoke; stay away from smokers.
Adopt a healthy sleeping position and use comfortable mattresses and pillows that help you breathe easily throughout the night.
Don't rush; take your time with tasks that might be causing you difficulty breathing.
It is also essential to master using your inhaler or nebulizer.
Buy Trusted Breathing Support Devices from MedLinks
If you're looking for a reliable, experienced medical equipment uae to buy medical equipment online, you won't find better than the MyMedLink store.
Our store, where you can buy nebulizers online in the UAE, inhalers, and other respiratory treatment devices, offers a wide range of top-quality medical devices and equipment from leading manufacturers known for their superior quality and precision.
Furthermore, we provide free consultations and ongoing support to help you choose the right device for your needs, along with excellent after-sales service, fast shipping, and unbeatable prices.
FAQs
How to tell if shortness of breath is from anxiety?
If shortness of breath comes on suddenly and is accompanied by other anxiety symptoms, such as:
Rapid heartbeat
Dizziness
Nausea
Nervousness
Relieved with relaxation.
How to treat shortness of breath in the elderly?
For elderly people, breathing shortness treatment includes a combination of:
Medical treatments.
Inhalers or nebulizers.
Adjustments of lifestyle.
How can you tell if shortness of breath is from the heart or the lungs?
Heart-related symptoms include: Chest pain, pressure, or tightness, difficulty breathing when lying down, swelling in the legs, dizziness, and palpitations
Lung-related symptoms include: cough, fever, wheezing, thick or bloody sputum, Runny nose, sore throat, and congestion