Dyspnea is a medical term for shortness of breath. This condition occurs due to unfulfilled oxygen supply to the lungs which causes breathing to be fast, short, and shallow.
Ideally, healthy adults and teens will breathe around 12-20 times per minute. However, when experiencing dyspnea, the pattern and frequency of breathing will change.
Various Causes of Dyspnea
Here are some conditions that can cause dypnea:
1. Asthma
Asthma is one of the causes of dyspnea. When relapses, asthma will cause the airways to swell and produce excessive mucus, which will eventually disrupt air flow. As a result, people with asthma will have difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, and pain while breathing.
2. Carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when someone inhales excessive amounts of the gas. Carbon monoxide gas has the property of being easily bound to red blood cells and hemoglobin, so that it will flow with the blood throughout the body and cause damage to cells and tissues.
When you experience carbon monoxide poisoning, you will experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and nausea.
3. Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Hypotension or low blood pressure will cause a lack of blood supply containing oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. This lack of blood supply will cause you to experience dyspnea. In addition, when experiencing hypotension, you can feel dizzy, weak, and even faint.
4. Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. This condition makes the tissue of the infected lung not function properly, causing dyspnea or shortness of breath. In addition, lung infections will cause fever, coughing, and chest pain.
5. Heart failure
Heart failure can also cause dyspnea. This condition occurs when the heart is no longer able to pump blood throughout the body normally, so that the body's cells do not get an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients. People with heart failure will experience dyspnea, difficulty breathing, cough, and feel tired quickly.
How to relieve dyspnea
Handling of dyspnea depends on the cause and severity. However, there are some initial steps you can take when experiencing mild dyspnea, namely:
1. Breathe through the mouth
The first step you can take when experiencing dyspnea is breathing through your mouth. This method can help you get more oxygen, so the breathing rate will slow down and you can breathe more effectively. In addition, breathing through your mouth can also help you release air trapped in the lungs.
2. Sit with the body leaning forward
Resting and sitting in a forward-leaning position can also help relieve breathing and make your body more relaxed. To do this, make sure you are calm.
The trick, sitting in a chair with both feet resting on the floor. Position your body leaning slightly forward. Put your elbows on your knees or support your chin with both hands. Make sure your neck and shoulder muscles are relaxed.
3. Stand leaning against the wall
Standing leaning against the wall can also be done to relieve dyspnea. The trick, stand by leaning your buttocks and hips against the wall. Position your feet so that your shoulders are as wide as your shoulders and your hands are next to your thighs. Lean your body slightly forward, do it this way casually.
4. Do diaphragmatic breathing
To do this breathing technique, you just sit in a chair and let your knees, shoulders, head and neck relax. Breathe slowly through your nose and feel your stomach expand while breathing.
Exhale slowly through the mouth. Give more emphasis when exhaling, and keep the time longer than usual. You can repeat this technique every five minutes.
Please note that dyspnea can be a sign of serious illness, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, pulmonary embolism, sleep apnea, heart valve abnormalities, and heart failure.
Therefore, shortness of breath or dyspnea should not be underestimated. Immediately consult a doctor if you experience shortness of breath, especially if accompanied by coughing, chest pain, fever, and headaches.
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