Shortness of Breath and Exercise: What Do You Need to Know?

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If you experience shortness of breath every time you exercise, you may feel at a loss of what to do about your problem. According to the Mayo Clinic, shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea, makes you feel as though you're suffocating. You also experience a tightness in your chest that may cause you to panic. Although shortness of breath can occur as a result of a health condition like COPD, it can also happen when you engage in intense activities. You can improve you health by learning more about your condition and what you can do to treat it. 

Why Can't You Breathe?

The inability to breath during exercise may occur when you exert too much stress on your heart. If your heart or blood vessels are constricted, damaged, or diseased, you may not have sufficient oxygen in your blood to reach your lungs or other organs. Some people experience chest pains and a loss of consciousness with dyspnea. If these symptoms occur, contact a medical provider immediately.

If a disease or problem constricts, blocks, or infects air or blood circulation to your lungs, you can experience dyspnea as well. In this case, your lungs will have problems inhaling fresh oxygen into your body and exhaling old oxygen out of it. Your blood may experience an increase in carbon dioxide, which forces your lungs to work harder to get rid of it.

It's important that you see a doctor for an exam to find out why you have shortness of breath when you exercise.

How Do You Overcome Your Shortness of Breath?

One of the first things a doctor may do is examine your heart and lungs by x-ray; this may reveal blood clots and diseased tissues. If possible, a doctor will test the oxygen levels in your blood to determine the cause of your dyspnea. If a doctor locates a serious problem, they may prescribe medications or surgery to treat it. 

If your lungs and heart are free of severe problems, a doctor will most likely refer you to a respiratory therapist for care. A therapist can help you obtain special respiratory equipment to help you breathe properly before and after exercise. The equipment may include oxygen masks, portable breathing machines, and inhalers.

You can keep track of your blood oxygen levels at home with a special meter you place on your fingertips. The meter "reads" the oxygen content in your blood and displays the results on a small screen. If your levels are below a specific level designated by your respiratory therapist, contact them right away for treatment.

It's a good idea that you order your prescribed supplies from a reputable respiratory supply company to stay on track of your treatment. A supplier may fill your prescriptions and ship the supplies to your home or business. If you're unsure about how to obtain what you need to manage your shortness of breath, speak to your respiratory therapist today.

Make an appointment with a healthcare organization such as Corner Home Medical for more personalized information.

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10 October 2016

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