Alleviating shortness of breath

Shortness of breath is the unpleasant feeling of not being able to get enough air. Although you may feel that you aren't getting enough air, that's not always the case. Severe shortness of breath is often associated with anxiety and fear of suffocation and fear of dying. Conditions such as pain and constipation can aggravate shortness of breath. Anxiety can cause shortness of breath, and shortness of breath can exacerbate anxiety.

If you experience shortness of breath or that it gets worse, you should always speak to a doctor. It's important that you and your relatives know what to do if you suffer from shortness of breath. Shortness of breath can be both acute and chronic. If you have chronic shortness of breath, you know the condition and what to do in the situation. However, if you suddenly get shortness of breath you must act immediately and seek medical attention.

The treatment for shortness of breath depends on the cause. There are different types of medicines that can make breathing easier. You may need oxygen at home or sedatives or morphine drops. Morphine drops are called "red drops", which aid oxygen absorption and act as a sedative. Speak to your doctor to find out treatment is right for you.

Shortness of breath is extremely uncomfortable and causes anxiety. Therefore, when it happens you may experience panic. It is important that you stay calm as it improves your breathing, whereas fear makes you tense up and makes breathing even more difficult. It can be a great help if you have somebody nearby to support you in remaining calm. You should avoid being alone.

There are also other things which you can do yourself to relieve shortness of breath: Reduce your activity level, and be aware of how you sit in a chair or lie in bed. Good positioning may help alleviate shortness of breath. Avoid having tight-fitting clothes, and you can also use breathing exercises to manage anxiety. You can also make "blowing sounds" which helps to empty your lungs of air. Another possibility is cooling your temples with a cold cloth or a fan. Ensure that you ventilate the rooms you're in and where you sleep. Ensure that the room is cool.

Ask your doctor to refer you to a physical therapist who can help you to improve your lung capacity. Your doctor can prescribe some other things: It may be a sedative, inhalation medicine, oxygen therapy or use of PEP device.