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Breathing Difficulties
By peace | November 12, 2006
There are three main types of breathing difficulty: noisy breathing, painful breathing and shortness of breath or breathlessness.
1. Noisy Breathing
Noisy breathing is of two kinds: wheezy breathing, where th noise occurs on breathing out, and hoarse or difficult breathing which is noisy on breathing in and out. It is often difficult to distinguish the two types of noisy breathing but they have different sets of causes.
Immediate Treatment
- Rest in a pleasantly warm, airy room
- Steam inhalations
When to consult the doctor
As soon as possible if:
- A baby under six months is affected
- A baby or toddler is restless or looks grey in colour
- There is obvious difficulty or distress in getting breath — breathing may be rapid and the lower ribs may be drawn in with each breath
- There is heart disease of any kind
- There is any possiblity of a foreign boy in the ear, nose or throat
Possible causes
- Wheezy on breathing out
Common causes: common cold; respiratory infection(acute). Toddlers and children are specially affected by this condition.
Less likely causes: Asthma; bronchiolitis and certain virus infections
- Noisy breathing in and out
Common causes: croup, laryngitis; respiratory infection (acute upper)
Less likely causes: epiglottitis; certain virus infection
2. Painful Breathing
Breathing that is painful is called pleuritic respiration. It is a serious symptom and suggests disorder in the lungs, their lining(pleura), or in the bones, muscles or skin of the chest. The pain forces the sufferer to catch all breaths, which are therefore short and often rapid. A cough is often present as well.
Immediate treatment
- Rest
- Take painkillers in recommended doses
- Apply local heat to the chest by means of a hot-water bottle
When to consult the doctor
As soon as possible if:
- Pain is severe
- There is breathlessness
- There is fever or blood-stained split
Possible causes
Common causes: Chest injuries; Fibrositis (chest)
Less likely causes: Fracture; pleurisy; pneumonia; pneumothorax; pulmonary embolism
3. Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is of two types:
Type 1: air hunger, is when the sufferer feels that he cannot get enough air and takes large, deep, sighing breaths while the rate of breathing is unchanged or slowed. This symptom is well known to every adult and is usually a reaction of feeling oppressed either physically ( a crowded or overheated room) or mentally (anxiety, taking a driving test). The reaction is quite normal and best ignored.
Type 2: breathlessness, is when the sufferer is out of breath as if he had just run upstairs and the rate of breathing is increased. This type of breathlessness, if it occurs at rest or after unexpectedly small amounts of exertion, is a symptom of disorder of the Respiratory system or the circulatory system.
Breathlessness associated with increasing facial pallor may be a symptom of anaemia, especially if there is unusual blood loss such as nose-bleeds or heavy periods.
Immediate treatment
- Sit in the position of greatest comfort
When to consult the doctor
Immediately if:
- Onset of breathlessness is sudden, severe or associated with either chest pain or blood-stained split
As soon as possible if:
- Breathlessness occurs at rest
- There are other symptoms such as a cough, swelling of ankles, fever or previous loss of blood.
- Serious disease is known to be already present
Possible casues
- Respiratory system
Breathlessness associated with a cough, chest pain related to breathing, or a recent attack of pneumonia.
Common causes: poor physical condition; obesity, smoking, asthma
Less likely causes: bronchitis(chronic); emphysema; lung cancer; pneumonia; bronchiectasis; tuberculosis; pulmonary embolism
- Circulatory system
Breathlessness occurs at night or on lying down, it may be accompanied by swelling of the ankles or chest pain not related to breathing.
Common causes: Poor physical condition; normal pregnancy; obesity
Less likely causes: Heart failure in all forms; coronary thrombosis
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