Shortness of breath occurs when you have over-exerted yourself, or as a sign of a serious complication such as an asthma attack, a heart attack or an anxiety attack. Suffering from COPD, asthma, or obesity can cause long-term difficulties with breathing, but it should never be ignored. If you have problems with breathing always have it checked out by a doctor to make sure there are not serious, underlying conditions that could be life threatening.
How do I know if I have shortness of breath?
- Tightness in the chest
- Anxiety
- Difficulty breathing
- Lightheadedness
- Chest pain
How do I prevent shortness of breath?
- Get regular cardiovascular exercise.
- Keep allergies and asthma treated and under control.
- Lose weight and maintain a healthy weight.
- Stop smoking.
How can I treat shortness of breath?
- Stop activities and rest in a comfortable position.
- Breathe in through the mouth and out through the mouth
- As your breathing begins to slow, breathe out through pursed lips.
- Breathe through the nose when possible.
- Once breathing is easier, rest in the same position for five minutes.
- Breathe from the abdomen.
- Manage stress.
- Work on controlling your anxiety.
- Add a pinch of black pepper to a cup of tea to help open the airways.
- If you have a cold with shortness of breath, drink ginger juice, honey and fenugreek to help expel mucus.
- Keep hydrated.
- Elevate your pillows and the head of your bed to help reduce acid reflux and relieve airways.
