Shortness of breath is another way of saying that you are having trouble breathing or catching your breath. You might feel as though you are gasping for your breath, or that you can't inflate your lungs. Some people describe it as not being able to take deep breaths in or out.
Or, you might be taking rapid, short breaths. The problem with having shortness of breath is that you do not get adequate airflow into and out of your lungs. You never quite empty them, nor do you completely fill them. That can mean you are not getting enough oxygen in or getting rid of the carbon dioxide in your airways.
In some cases, especially in kids, shortness of breath might come across as being easily fatigued, or having trouble being as active as other kids of the same age. Infants might be having trouble suckling or grunt when they are feeding.
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What It Means
Like the other common symptoms of asthma, shortness of breath is an asthma warning sign. If ignored, it can quickly escalate into a full-blown asthma attack that requires emergency treatment. If you have not been diagnosed yet with asthma and you are experiencing trouble breathing, especially if it occurs with wheezing, coughing, or chest tightness, it could be a sign you have asthma. So be sure to mention it to your doctor, so he can make a proper diagnosis.
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When to Call the Doctor
If shortness of breath or trouble catching your breath is a new problem and you have not yet been diagnosed with asthma, then you should definitely see a doctor to get it checked out. When you visit the doctor, try to bring as much information with you as you can. Keeping a symptom diary can be helpful in seeing when and where the trouble breathing happens. For instance, is it occurring after you come into contact with your neighbor's dog? When you go outdoors in the fall to rake leaves? At work when you're exposed to co-workers' cigarette smoke?
All of the above are what are known as asthma triggers, which are things that can set off asthma symptoms in sensitive people. Pinpointing these triggers, and then starting to avoid them, will help you prevent more severe problems with chest tightness and other asthma symptoms from occurring in the future.
Besides keeping track of when and where you have chest tightness, you may also want to take notes about the following:
- How long the shortness of breath lasts
- Whether it goes away on its own or if something you do or take helps
- Exactly what it feels like
The important thing to remember is that shortness of breath is a sign that something in your airways is not working as it should. If you've never been diagnosed with asthma, then this is a sign that you should call your doctor. If you are being treated for asthma and are still short of breath, it's likely that your treatment isn't working adequately. When asthma is under control, you should not experience any trouble breathing.
Shortness of breath is generally a symptom that is not going to get better quickly on its own, once it begins. So, it's important to keep your rescue, or quick-relief, inhaler with you at all times and then to use it quickly, should you start to notice shortness of breath or any of the other asthma symptoms.
Ideally, you will have an Asthma Action Plan to guide you in the actions to take when asthma symptoms begin. Of course, your best course of action is to prevent asthma symptoms before they start. You can do this in two ways:
- Avoid all of your known asthma triggers as much as you can.
- Take your prescribed asthma controller medicine every day, as prescribed by your doctor.
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Sources:
"Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma." NHLBI Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma. 28 Aug 2007. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. 18 Dec. 2007 <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.pdf>
