Suffering from constant shortness of breath? Let’s talk about what could be the cause and how it is treated. Feeling breathless may last just a few days or less. Other times, it is chronic, lasting longer than three to six months. In most instances shortness of breath can be due to heart or lung conditions. An easy way to monitor the strength of your lungs over time, is by using a Peak Flow Meter.

Causes of shortness of breath

If you are experiencing a sudden shortness of breath then it could be caused by the following:

• Anaphylaxis
• Asthma
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Cardiac tamponade (excess fluid around the heart)
• COPD(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) exacerbation — worsening of symptoms
• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Heart attack
• Heart arrhythmia(heart rhythm problems)
• Heart failure
• Pneumonia(and other pulmonary infections)
• Pneumothorax(collapsed lung)
• Pulmonary embolism(blood clot in an artery in the lung)
• Sudden blood loss
• Upper airway obstruction (blockage in the breathing passage)

If, however, you have shortness of breath that has lasted over a few weeks (chronic) then it is most likely due to one of the following:

• Asthma
• COPD(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) exacerbation — worsening of symptoms
• Deconditioning
• Heart dysfunction
• Interstitial lung disease
• Obesity
• Pleural effusion (accumulation of fluid around the lungs)
• Covid-19/Long Covid

How doctors manage shortness of breath

Doctors manage dyspnea by first identifying and then treating the condition causing your breathing trouble.

Depending on the condition causing your breathing problems you could be prescribed the following treatments:

Exercise: Improving your physical fitness can strengthen your heart and lungs.– this could include learning breathing techniques.

Medication: Medication relieving pain or anxiety can ease breathlessness. An inhaler could be prescribed that contains drugs called bronchodilators to relax your airways for asthma and in COPD.

Oxygen therapy: Receiving extra oxygen through a mask or tube in the nostrils can help you breathe more comfortably (only appropriate when the blood oxygen levels are shown to be low and determined by a healthcare professional)

How can I help determine what is causing my shortness of breath?

Here at Creatorishop we aim to provide you with the necessary at-home healthcare solutions.

Introducing the Smart Peak Flow Meter - an automated peak flow device that, together with its Bluetooth function and smart App, allows you to monitor your peak flow rate over time and share the information with your Doctor. Asthma control in your pocket. For other healthcare monitoring devices, visit Creatorishop.com.