Shortness of breath during physical activity: Understanding its causes, treatment options, and additional information
Shortness of Breath During Exercise: Understanding Dyspnea on Exertion
Dyspnea on exertion, or the sensation of shortness of breath during physical activity, is a common symptom that can be caused by a variety of conditions. This article aims to provide a clear and concise overview of the most common causes, symptoms, and treatment options for dyspnea on exertion.
Common Causes
The primary causes of dyspnea on exertion are often related to cardiac and respiratory diseases. The most frequent causes include heart failure, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and various other cardiac and pulmonary conditions.
Heart failure, a common cardiac cause, is often characterised by worsening dyspnea on exertion due to inadequate cardiac output and pulmonary congestion. Conditions such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity increase the risk of heart failure.
COPD, a leading respiratory cause, is often linked to smoking history and is characterised by progressive breathlessness on exertion. Asthma, including exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, can also trigger episodes of airway constriction, causing dyspnea on exertion.
Other causes of dyspnea on exertion include interstitial lung diseases, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, and pneumothorax, which are acute causes of exertional or resting dyspnea. Anxiety and hyperventilation, deconditioning, and obesity can also contribute to the development of dyspnea on exertion.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Dyspnea on exertion can occur during intense exercise or simple activities such as walking, going up steps, sitting still, or jogging. The sensation often improves upon rest, but can be a sign of underlying conditions that require intensive medical treatment.
Accompanying symptoms such as nausea, loss of consciousness or unexplained sleepiness, chest pressure or chest pain, high fever or chills, irregular heartbeat, severe or worsening cough with or without mucus, bluish or discolored skin, increased urinary frequency at night, swelling in the abdomen, legs, ankles, or feet, unexplained exhaustion, coughing up blood, swelling of the tongue, lips, mouth, or throat, swelling with a rash, bruising more easily than usual, pale or yellowish skin, dizziness, cold hands and feet, confusion, unexplained weakness, chronic lack of appetite, unexplained weight loss, unexplained itchy skin, reduced urination, irregular menstruation, severe sore throat and trouble swallowing, abnormal, high pitched breathing sounds, should prompt immediate medical attention.
Treatment
The treatment for dyspnea on exertion depends on the underlying cause. For cardiovascular causes, common treatment options include aspirin, statins, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, nitrates, heparin, diuretic medications, surgery to place shunts, correct defects, or repair damage, angioplasty, ICD or LVAD, and pacemakers.
For respiratory causes, common treatment options include inhalers, supplemental oxygen therapy, surgery, antibiotics, rest and fluid therapy, emergency procedures to remove inhaled objects, and thoracentesis.
For dyspnea on exertion caused by chemical or environmental irritants, treatment often involves stopping smoking or avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke, wearing protective covering and breathing devices when exposed to chemical fumes, avoiding going outside or to places where pollution, dust, pollen, or smoke levels are high, and spending as little time outside as possible when mold spores are in the air at high levels.
When to Seek Medical Attention
People should speak with a doctor if they experience frequent dyspnea that does not seem to be due to being unused to exercise, exercising too intensely, or exercising under challenging environmental conditions. They should also talk with a doctor if dyspnea during exercise is severe or disabling or develops suddenly without a clear cause.
Individuals who may be experiencing an asthma attack or an attack of another respiratory or cardiac condition, such as COPD, should seek emergency care.
[1] American Lung Association. (2021). What Is Dyspnea? Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/dyspnea/learn-about-dyspnea
[2] National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2021). Dyspnea on Exertion. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/dyspnea-on-exertion
[3] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Dyspnea. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dyspnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20352382
[4] British Lung Foundation. (2021). Dyspnoea. Retrieved from https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/lung-conditions/dyspnoea
[5] American Thoracic Society. (2021). Dyspnea. Retrieved from https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/dyspnea.pdf
- The progressive breathlessness experienced in COPD, a leading respiratory cause, is often linked to a smoking history and is termed as dyspnea on exertion.
- Asthma, including exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, can also trigger episodes of airway constriction, propagating dyspnea on exertion.
- Migraine, a common neurological condition, can sometimes present with symptoms similar to dyspnea on exertion, such as shortness of breath (dyspnea) and chest pain.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, two primary respiratory conditions, are common causes of dyspnea on exertion.
- Conditions like HIV and Crohn's disease, which fall under the broad category of medical-conditions, are not primarily associated with dyspnea on exertion, but they can impact a person's overall health and wellness, potentially contributing to the symptom.
- Predictive tests, like spirometry, can help diagnose respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD, which cause dyspnea on exertion.
- Obesity, a primary determinant of various health-related issues, increases the risk of developing dyspnea on exertion due to increased body weight and reduced fitness-and-exercise capacity.
- Macular degeneration, a disease affecting the eye's central vision, is not typically associated with dyspnea on exertion, but it can impact a person's quality of life and may necessitate a restrictive lifestyle, potentially leading to decreased fitness-and-exercise levels and increased risk of dyspnea.
- Treatment for dyspnea on exertion caused by the primary respiratory conditions, like asthma and COPD, often includes inhalers, supplemental oxygen therapy, and bronchodilators.
- In the case of degenerative diseases such as type 2 diabetes or its complications, management strategies like diet, exercise, and medications such as metformin can help mitigate the risk of dyspnea on exertion.
- AQ (air quality), an environmental factor, can exacerbate symptoms of respiratory conditions such as COPD and asthma, potentially causing dyspnea on exertion, especially when pollution levels or pollen counts are high.
