Shortness of Breath
What is shortness of breath?
When you are chronic shortness 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 doctor.
Shortness of breath is a very serious symptom in children and should never be ignored. Knowing a doctor has diagnosed and is treating the problem should bring comfort, but if symptoms become worse, always call your child's doctor right away or go to the emergency room. This chart describes some common causes of shortness of breath in children. Take your child to your doctor right away.
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
What tests will my doctor perform?
Your doctor can help find the cause of your breathing problem by asking you questions and doing a physical exam. You doctor also may order some tests.
To find the cause of your shortness of breath, your doctor may order a chest x-ray or an electrocardiogram (also called an ECG). During this test, your 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 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 doctor for help. Also, avoid strong smells and breathing chemicals that can bother your lungs.
Breathing Problems at Birth Predict Later Asthma
The effects of early lung problems may extend into preadolescence, Norwegian researchers say. In a recent study, they found that problems with lung function in early infancy are associated with an increased risk of having asthma at 10 years of age. Asthma is a lung disease in which the airways become blocked or narrowed, making it difficult to breathe.
Researchers tracked the lung function of 616 healthy infants from birth to age 10. The kids underwent breathing tests, exercise testing, and allergy tests (people with allergies often have asthma, too) to check their lung function. Their parents also reported whether their children experienced symptoms of asthma, such as wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. Parents also noted whether the kids had ever been diagnosed with asthma or used asthma medications.
The results: 1 in 5 of the kids had a history of having asthma, and 11% currently had asthma at age 10. The 10-year-olds with asthma had significantly lower scores on lung function tests shortly after birth compared with kids without asthma. Those lower scores also predicted severe bronchial inflammation and the need for asthma medications at age 10.
What This Means to You
Kids who experience lung function problems early in life may be more likely to develop asthma, the results of this study suggest. This information may aid parents and doctors in identifying asthma symptoms and starting treatment in children at risk. If your child complains of coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, or shortness of breath, talk to your doctor. If your child has severe shortness of breath, seek emergency medical treatment.