More than a simple fleeting complication, shortness of breath is a symptom that people ignore until it starts interfering with daily life. You will notice it while doing the simplest tasks like climbing the stairs, walking briskly or even during routine activities.
Experiencing occasional breathlessness is common and could be triggered by stress, anxiety, etc., however, persistent shortness of breath is your body’s way of signalling that something is seriously wrong deep inside.
There are numerous possible lung conditions that could be causing your shortness of breath, and our experts from Jindal Chest Clinic will discuss the top 10 reasons in this guide.
Asthma
Probably one of the most “talked about” and known causes behind the shortness of breath is asthma. It is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes the airways to constrict and swell, making it difficult for the air to flow in and out of the lungs. In turn, it contributes to shortness of breath.
An asthma attack can be triggered by numerous complications, including allergens, pollution, cold air, exercise, or respiratory infections. Beyond difficulty breathing, other symptoms like wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, and breathlessness are also common when you have asthma.
The downside to asthma is that the condition can’t be "cured", but it can effectively be managed with the right treatment plan. Several treatment options like inhalers, medications and even lifestyle management can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of the symptoms.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD affects 37.8 to 55 million in India and happens to be the second leading cause of death and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the country.
The condition usually comprises progressive lung diseases like emphysema and chronic bronchitis and is characterised by long-term breathing problems and poor airflow.
The shortness of breath associated with COPD often begins gradually. You might notice it first during a flight of stairs or a brisk walk. However, as the disease progresses, even simple tasks like dressing or preparing a meal can become exhausting.
At Jindal Chest Clinic, we emphasise the need for early diagnosis so as to treat the complications early and have better treatment outcomes.
Pneumonia
A common term associated with shortness of breath and respiratory complications, pneumonia is a type of infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs in one or both of the lungs. Due to the infection, the air sacs may fill with fluid or pus, causing the atypical symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, and cough with phlegm.
Also, the severity of a patient’s pneumonia depends on the cause of the infection (bacterial, fungal or viral). People who are older already have a compromised immune system and are at higher risk of developing severe infection.
The earlier the condition is detected and treated, the better the outcomes and the more devastating complications are prevented.
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
A fairly less-talked-about lung disease,ILD comprises a large group of disorders that cause scarring or fibrosis of the lung tissue.
ILD directly impacts the interstitium, which is the network of tissue that supports the lung's air sacs. When this tissue becomes scarred, it becomes stiff, making it difficult for the lungs to expand and for oxygen to enter the bloodstream. This is why shortness of breath in ILD is often dry and persistent.
Unlike asthma, it does not usually come in "attacks" but rather presents as a steady decline in exercise tolerance and requires advanced imaging and proper diagnosis to start a personalised treatment plan for managing the symptoms better.
Note: We encourage you to schedule a consultation with our pulmonologists at Jindal Chest Clinic promptly if you experience a persistent dry cough alongside breathlessness.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
An extremely severe (and often fatal) complication, PE or Pulmonary Embolism, occurs when there is a sudden blockage in one of the lung arteries, usually caused by a blood clot that travels to the lung from the legs.
We have to reiterate again that this is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY. The shortness of breath, if it is due to PE, will occur suddenly and without any warning.
Due to the clot, it prevents the blood from reaching certain portions of the lungs, making the body’s oxygen levels plummet out of nowhere. Besides shortness of breath, the patient is also likely to experience other symptoms like rapid heart rate, lightheadedness, and coughing up blood.
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis occurs when the walls of the bronchial tubes become thickened and damaged from inflammation and infection.
This scarring damage prevents the airways from clearing mucus, leading to a "vicious cycle" where mucus buildup causes more infection, which in turn causes more damage. If you are experiencing daily cough that produces large amounts of phlegm, accompanied by shortness of breath during physical activity, it is one of the telltale signs of bronchiectasis.
For a precise diagnosis, our pulmonologists at Jindal Chest Clinic recommend a high-resolution CT (HRCT) to confirm any structural changes in the airways, allowing for a management plan focused on airway clearance techniques and targeted antibiotics.
Lung Cancer
One of the leading causes of shortness of breath is due to lung cancer, which is the fourth most common cancer in India.
When the tumor grows large enough to block a major airway or if fluid builds up around the lung, it causes shortness of breath in the patient. If your lung cancer has become malignant, meaning that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the breathlessness usually worsens.
So, the key to a favourable prognosis is to not dismiss any unsettling symptoms and instead get a low-dose CT screening as early as possible. This is the most effective way to improve outcomes, especially if you are someone who smoked (or smokes) or is exposed to carcinogens due to your work.
Pulmonary Hypertension
A type of high blood pressure, pulmonary hypertension, or PH, affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.
When the pressure builds, the heart’s right ventricle works “extra hard" to pump blood through the lungs, eventually causing the heart muscles to weaken. So, you might experience shortness of breath during the initial impact of the disease, but as the disease progresses, the breathlessness becomes worse.
Due to the condition’s sneakiness, it is often complex to diagnose and requires an echocardiogram or right-heart catheterisation to measure the internal lung pressures accurately.
Pleurisy and Pleural Effusion
These are two conditions affecting the lungs that a lot of patients aren’t aware of until they are diagnosed with the condition.
The pleura are two thin layers of tissue that separate your lungs from your chest wall. Pleurisy occurs when these layers become inflamed and rub against each other, causing sharp chest pain. Pleural effusion occurs when excess fluid builds up in the space between these layers.
Due to the excess fluid in the space around the lungs, the lungs fail to expand to their full volume. This, in turn, causes shallow breathing and significant discomfort. There are numerous possible causes behind the condition, from infections to congestive heart failure or kidney disease.
Sarcoidosis
An inflammatory disease, Sarcoidosis is characterised by the growth of tiny clumps of inflammatory cells in various parts of the body, most commonly the lungs. These “granulomas” can affect the stiffness of the lungs and the efficiency of oxygen exchange.
While many people with sarcoidosis have few symptoms, others experience persistent shortness of breath and a dry cough.
A lot of the time sarcoidosis can mimic other diseases like tuberculosis or ILD, which is why our pulmonologists emphasise the need for a thorough diagnostic workup, including imaging and sometimes a biopsy, to confirm the diagnosis.
The Need for Early Diagnosis!
Breathing is fundamental to life, and even minor disruptions can have widespread effects on your overall health. Shortness of breath is a signal. While it may sometimes be harmless, it can also point to serious underlying lung conditions that require immediate attention.
Instead of taking the symptoms lightly, our specialists at Jindal Chest Clinic emphasise getting an early diagnosis. Don’t wait for the symptoms to become unbearable.
Schedule a consultation with our experienced pulmonologists today!
