Shortness of Breath

What is shortness of breath?
When you are short of breath, you may feel like you can't get enough air or your chest may feel tight. Sometimes the feeling is worse when you are physically active or when you lie down flat. You may have other symptoms such as a cough, chest pains or fever. If you have any of these problems, tell your family doctor.

What could be causing me to be short of breath?
Shortness of breath can be caused by many things, including the following:
* Asthma
* Other lung diseases, including emphysema (say: "em-fa-see-ma" ), a lung disease that is caused by smoking
* Heart failure that causes fluid to collect in the lungs
* Panic attacks

If you are short of breath with a cough and/or fever, you may have a chest infection or pneumonia (say: "new-moan-yuh" ). Less common causes of breathing problems are lung cancer, a blood clot in the lungs, air leakage around the lungs and scarring of the lung tissue.

What tests will my family doctor perform?
Your family doctor can help find the cause of your breathing problem by asking you questions and doing a physical exam. Your family doctor also may order some tests.
To find the cause of your shortness of breath, your family doctor may order a chest x-ray or an electrocardiogram (also called an ECG). During this test, your family doctor will have you lie down so your heart can be monitored. The ECG machine makes a picture, or tracing, that shows your heart's electrical signals. Your family doctor may measure your breathing and the oxygen level in your blood. You also may need to have a blood test .

What can I do to help my breathing?
If you smoke, you need to stop. Ask your family doctor for help. Also, avoid strong smells and breathing chemicals that can bother your lungs.
[AAFP]