Dyspnea is the medical term used to describe feeling of breathlessness, inadequate or difficult breathing.Being short of breath is something most people have experienced after intense physical exertion, but when this sensation is disproportionate to levels of physical activity, it is typically a symptom of another medical condition.
There are a variety of medical conditions which can cause dyspnea, some of which are very serious and so it is important that this symptom not be ignored.
Any unexpected or severe shortness of breath should be treated as a medical emergency. Oxygen is carried in the red blood cells, so people who are anemic may develop shortness of breath. No matter what the cause, breathing problems should be taken seriously.
The sensation of dyspnea varies between individuals as does the perception of what it means to be short of breath. For some people, merely walking up a flight of stairs can leave them with an uncomfortable sensation of shortness of breath, where others may only be concerned when they feel they are struggling to breathe. In some instances mild shortness of breath is normal, for instance if one has a cold with extreme nasal congestion, or after exercise when out of shape.
To help recognize shortness of breath, the common signs and symptoms include: breathing fast breathing through pursed lips feeling “winded” or unable to speak sitting with hands on knees using neck and chest muscles to breathe. Shortness of breath with chest pain can be a symptom of a heart attack and the victim should be seen in the emergency department immediately.
