People experiencing shortness of breath, feel like they can't get enough air into their body. A person on average breathes at a rate of around 16 to 20 times per minute.

Shortness of breath is caused by inability of lungs to get enough oxygen into the blood or by the inability of the heart to send out that blood around the body.

Shortness of breath can make a person anxious and worried, which can make the condition even worse.

Difficulty in breathing can represent the presence of some major and specific disease, and you should see your GP.

What are the reasons for a shortness of breath?

There are many different causes for breathlessness. Some of them are listed below:

• Emotional distress or anxiety.
• Cigarette smoking.
• Asthma or some allergies.
• Pneumonia.
• Rapid climb to high altitudes, especially where there is less oxygen in the air.
• Obstruction of an airway.
• Compression of the chest wall.
• Lung disease
• Heart disease such as angina or heart attack

When should you consult your GP?

Consult your GP if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty in breathing even when you are at rest or immediately after very slight exercise or exertion.
• A wheezing sound when you breathe.
• Your throat feels tight or you have a croupy or barking cough.
• Some foreign object is inhaled and is stuck in the respiratory tract.
• Unexplained shortness of breath.
• Sleep disturbance due to breathing difficulty.

Treatment:

When you see your GP, he will take a detailed medical history from you and conduct a detailed medical examination.

After identifying the actual cause of the breathing difficulty, he may administer certain medications aimed at treating the cause of the condition, for example he may give a nebuliser if you are wheezing.
In very serious and severe cases, your GP may advise that you go to hospital for continuous care. In cases where the supply of oxygen is very low, you may be given oxygen.

However this is not recommended in all cases, as it may be hazardous for some people.

How can I help myself if I have this condition?

When you have difficulty breathing, try to make yourself as comfortable as possible and seek advice from your GP as soon as possible. However, the following measures can be taken to ease your symptoms:

• Try to make yourself relaxed.
• Prop yourself up into the sitting position.
• If you feel a shortness of breath during your work, plan gaps for rest in between work.
• Make sure the room you are in is properly ventilated.