Dyspnea Definition, 15 Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Disorders that occur in normal breathing patterns can be alarming.

Feel as if unable to take a deep breath in the medical world known as dyspnea.

Dyspnea Definition

Shortness of breath, or what in medical language called dyspnea, is a health condition in which a person has difficulty breathing. Some people who experience this condition describe it as a sensation that makes the body seem to need more air, narrow chest, and feel helpless.

Dyspnea or shortness of breath is an uncomfortable, even painful condition. Usually, this becomes a symptom or sign of the presence of a disease or health disorder.

Not only that, doing certain activities can also cause shortness of breath, such as exercise is too heavy as well as being at altitude.

This condition can be divided into 2 types, namely acute and chronic types. Acute dyspnea occurs when difficulty breathing occurs suddenly and in a short period of time. Meanwhile, chronic dyspnea usually occurs over a long period of time and is likely to relapse frequently.

If you experience signs and symptoms of shortness of breath, especially if the condition comes suddenly and severely, immediately check with a doctor.

Read also: 
20 Shortness of Breath Causes To Watch Out For

Dyspnea Symptoms

A person is very likely to have some of the symptoms that accompany dyspnea.

These additional symptoms can help sufferers and doctors diagnose the main causes.

If the sufferer has a cough, dyspnea it may be caused by a condition in the lungs.

Meanwhile, if the sufferer feels symptoms such as chest pain, the doctor may check for a heart condition.

Doctors can also find symptoms outside the heart and lungs that cause dyspnea.

Symptoms that occur in conjunction with dyspnea include:

• Heart palpitations
• Weight loss
• Crackling in the lungs
• Wheezing
• Night sweats
• Swollen feet and ankles
• Difficulty lying down while lying flat
• High fever
• Cold heat
• Cough
• Long-term shortness of breath is getting worse.

For the record, make sure you can make a list of symptoms experienced with dyspnea so that you can share it with your doctor.

A person should get medical help immediately if they experience:

• Sudden shortness of breath that interferes with your ability to function
• Loss of consciousness
• Chest pain
• Nausea

Dyspnea Treatment

The main principle of shortness of breath treatment is to provide oxygen. After the administration of oxygen should be immediately carried out a detailed examination to find out the cause of tightness. Treating the underlying disease will treat tightness.

How to relief from dyspnea

Exhaling from the Mouth

First of all, rest the neck and your shoulder muscles.

Then, breath through the nose in two counts and keep your mouth closed.

The shape of the lips as when going to whistle and exhale partly from the mouth in four counts.

This can help our breath rate decrease slightly, so that the breath becomes deeper and more effective.

Breathing in this way can also release air trapped in the lungs. We can also do this way of breathing if it is difficult to breathe after doing physical activities such as going up stairs.

Sit Leaning Forward

Resting while sitting can help the body relax and we breathe easier.

First, sit with your feet on the floor and point of the body slightly forward.

Slowly, rest your arms above the knees or hold your chins with your hands. But remember to keep your neck and shoulders relaxed.

Sitting Leaning to the Table

You can rest by sitting and direct your heads to lean on the table.

The trick is to sit with your feet on the floor, then lean towards the table and rest your heads and arms on the table.

You could use an arm or a pillow to support your heads.

Other techniques

• Stand with a Backrest
• Standing with Your Arms Resting
• Lie back relaxed.

Dyspnea Prevention

People with dyspnea are advised to stop smo**king. The content of harmful substances in cigarettes can damage cells and lung tissue. Smo**king habits can also cause COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that can cause shortness of breath. Find the right way to get out of this bad habit.

If you work in an environment with poor air quality, consider using a mask to filter the incoming air. Air full of dirt and inhalable pollution can infect the lungs. Also make sure your home, room and workplace have good air ventilation.

If you are obese, try to consult a nutritionist so you can be helped to set up your healthy diet plan.

Thank you very much for reading Dyspnea Definition, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention, hopefully useful.