Overview
Breathing difficulty can come on suddenly or develop slowly. Some causes are mild, but sudden or severe breathlessness can be a medical emergency.
Symptoms
- Feeling short of breath or unable to take a deep breath
- Fast breathing
- Wheezing or noisy breathing
- Chest tightness
- Bluish lips or fingertips in severe cases
Causes and risk factors
Common causes include asthma, COPD, chest infections, heart failure, anaemia, anxiety, allergic reactions, blood clots in the lungs and obesity.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will examine you and may arrange oxygen level checks, a chest X-ray, ECG, blood tests, lung function tests or an echocardiogram.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause, such as inhalers for asthma, antibiotics for infection, or medicines for heart failure. Oxygen may be needed.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if breathlessness is new or getting worse. Call for emergency help for sudden or severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, blue lips, or difficulty speaking.
This information is for general education and does not replace advice from a qualified doctor. For a medical emergency, call +92-51-8446666 or go to the nearest emergency department.
