Lompat ke konten Lompat ke sidebar Lompat ke footer

Shortness of Breath May Be Not Asthma. What are Other Possibilities?

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing is a condition when you feel not getting enough air intake, such as can not freely breathe air so that the breath becomes fast and hunt. Not infrequently, this also causes a sense of tightness in the chest. Well, depending on the cause of the crowd, some people experience this condition only once or relapse. Many people think that shortness of breath is definitely asthma. Though not necessarily.


Extremely heavy exercise, extreme temperatures, obesity, and altitude can all cause shortness of breath in healthy people. Difficulty breathing can also be caused by medical problems or illness. Here are some of the causes of shortness of breath that appear suddenly and which often appear or long term.

The cause of shortness of breath suddenly (acute)

  • Asthma
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Cardiac tamponade (excess fluid around the heart)
  • Hiatal hernia
  • Heart failure
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in one of the pulmonary veins)
  • Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
  • Pneumonia (lung infection)
  • Sudden blood loss
  • Blockage in the respiratory tract
Read also: Do People Who Have Asthma Can Scuba Diving?

Causes of shortness of breath long-term (chronic)

Common Causes

  • Asthma
  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
  • Heart failure
  • Interstitial lung disease
  • Obesity

Lung problems

  • Lung cancer
  • Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lung blood vessels)
  • Sarcoidosis (a collection of inflammatory cells in the body)
  • Tuberculosis

Heart problems

  • Cardiomyopathy (problems with heart muscle)
  • Heart arrhythmias
  • Heart failure
  • Pericarditis (swelling of the membranes that surround the heart)
  • Other problems that can cause shortness of breath
  • Anemia
  • Broken ribs
  • Choking
  • Epiglottitis (partial swelling of the throat)
  • Inhaling foreign matter
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome
  • Myasthenia gravis (this condition causes muscle weakness)
Read also: 3 Types of Asthma Inhalers and Their Different Functions

How to overcome shortness of breath?

How to overcome breathing difficulties for each person is not the same. Therefore a proper diagnosis of the cause of your condition is required. If you have trouble to breathe because of asthma or allergies, then all you have to do is avoid the triggering elements such as dust, cigarette smoke, air pollution, pet dander, or pollen. Keep always clean your house to be free from dust, lice, or mites.

People who have trouble breathing can also be treated with medications that are inhaled or taken. The goal helps to alleviate or prevent airway obstruction and excessive mucus production.

If your allergies are severe, you may be given inhaled drugs, which can also be applied by people with sinusitis. If you are on medication with inhaled drugs, make sure the supply is adequate and the equipment works well.

For those of you who experience shortness of breath due to serious illness, may have to undergo treatment or taking certain medications from a doctor. Consult your doctor about what treatment is right for you.