2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43
There is not enough air, what is the reason?
The body controls the frequency and depth of a person's inhalation and exhalation on its own, so most people simply do not pay attention to breathing. This is quite normal, as breathing is a natural physiological act. However, when there is a feeling of lack of air, a person immediately understands this. This can happen after a run, climbing stairs, or other physical exertion. If a person is healthy, the body will recover very quickly, bringing the frequency and depth of breathing to the natural physiological norm.
A short-term lack of air after physical exertion, which quickly passes - this is quite normal for a healthy body. A pathology may be indicated by prolonged and abruptly arising difficulty in breathing. Moreover, help to a person should be provided instantly. Difficulty breathing may indicate a foreign body entering the respiratory tract, pulmonary edema, or an asthma attack. All these conditions pose a direct threat to life, so they cannot be ignored.
In the process of breathing, not only the respiratory system takes part, but also the muscles of the diaphragm and chest, heart and blood vessels, and the brain. The frequency and depth of breathing is influenced by the composition of the blood, hormones. Even what a person ate and what emotions he is experiencing affects his breathing.
If necessary, the body will increase the respiratory rate, which is observed against the background of a decrease in the level of gases in the blood. Therefore, when there is a lack of oxygen, a person breathes more often. At elevated body temperature, with tumor diseases, with penetration of infection into the body, acidosis develops. Breathing quickens in order to remove excess carbon dioxide from the blood. A person does not apply any effort to this, the mechanisms start on their own. However, they can sometimes be pathological.
Breathing problems, even the most minor, require treatment. They cannot be ignored, otherwise serious health problems may develop. Therefore, if from time to time a person has a feeling of lack of air, he needs to consult a doctor. You can go to an appointment with a therapist or cardiologist. You may need the help of a psychotherapist or neurologist.
Content:
- Why is there not enough air, what are the reasons?
- Other causes of lack of air
Why is there not enough air, what are the reasons?
Lack of air is shortness of breath accompanied by difficulty breathing. Lack of air can occur, both for completely natural reasons, and be the result of pathological processes occurring in the body. Sometimes it becomes difficult for a person to breathe, but he will not feel a feeling of lack of air, since the body will increase the frequency of respiratory movements. A similar situation is observed during the ascent to the mountains, with carbon monoxide poisoning, during flights.
The lack of air can be inspiratory, and oxygen will be lacking when inhaling. Expiratory dyspnea is said to be when there is not enough air on exhalation. Alternatively, there may be a mixed type of shortness of breath. At the same time, it will be difficult for a person to both inhale and exhale.
If shortness of breath is a consequence of natural physiological processes occurring in the body, then you should not worry about its occurrence. Such shortness of breath can appear against the background of physical effort, with emotional excitement, or when a person is at a height or in a stuffy room. Moreover, it does not last long and passes without a trace for the body.
If a person leads a sedentary lifestyle, rarely plays sports or does not do it at all, he will suffer from shortness of breath more often than those people who move enough and are often in the fresh air. Therefore, we must not forget about physical development and self-improvement.
Lack of air, which indicates a pathology, can occur from time to time or be present on an ongoing basis. She will bother a person not only during physical exertion, but also when he is at rest. Acute respiratory failure occurs with edema of the larynx or lungs, when a foreign body gets into them, and in other severe conditions. In this case, the person's well-being will sharply and rapidly deteriorate.
The causes of pathological shortness of breath can be as follows:
- Diseases of the respiratory system.
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Disturbances in the functioning of the nervous breathing regulation system.
- Changes in blood gas composition.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system
The fact that a person develops a lack of air against the background of pathologies of the heart and blood vessels may be indicated by symptoms such as: chest pain, swelling of the lower extremities, increased fatigue, blue skin, etc. Drugs for the treatment of the respiratory system will not bring relief.
Lack of air against the background of cardiac pathologies is inspiratory, that is, breathing difficulties are observed while inhaling. With heart failure, the lack of air will persist not only during the day, but also at night. It even intensifies at night.
Cardiovascular diseases that lead to respiratory failure:
- Ischemic heart disease.
- Arrhythmias.
- Myocardial dystrophy and cardiomyopathy.
- Congenital heart defects.
- Pericarditis, myocarditis.
- Heart failure.
Lack of air against the background of heart failure develops due to the fact that cardiac output is too weak to supply tissues with blood with oxygen. In case of disturbances in the work of the left ventricular myocardium, blood stagnation will occur in the lungs, which will entail disturbances in breathing.
Lack of air against the background of disturbances in the work of the heart is combined with a cough. In addition, patients complain of painful sensations in the chest, swelling of the lower extremities, which becomes stronger in the evening. When a person lies down, breathing becomes more difficult. This forces him to take a half-sitting position during sleep. So venous blood rushes to the heart in a smaller volume, which facilitates breathing.
Difficulty breathing caused by pathologies of the cardiovascular system is called cardiac asthma. Her attacks can provoke swelling of the alveoli, which requires immediate medical attention. An attack of cardiac asthma is indicated by swelling of the cervical veins, increased breathing up to 20 breaths per minute, blue face, and frothy sputum.
To get rid of cardiac dyspnea, you should find out the cause of its occurrence. If a person suffers from heart failure, then he is prescribed diuretics (Diacarb, Furosemide, Veroshpiron), drugs from the group of beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors (Lisinopril, Enalapril, etc.), antiarrhythmics, cardiac glycosides. Oxygen therapy is performed if necessary.
If a child suffers from cardiac asthma, then Diacarb may be prescribed as a diuretic. As for other drugs, they are selected on an individual basis.
With congenital heart defects, the child can undergo an emergency operation, sometimes even a transplant of this organ is performed.
Diseases of the respiratory system
Diseases of the respiratory system are in second place as the causes that can provoke breathing disorders.
These include:
- Diseases accompanied by obstructive processes - asthma, bronchitis, pneumoconiosis, emphysema, pneumosclerosis.
- Hydrothorax and pneumothorax.
- Tumor processes.
- Ingestion of foreign objects into the respiratory tract.
- Pulmonary embolism.
Inflammation of the respiratory system of a chronic course, as well as sclerotic changes in the lung tissue, always provoke breathing difficulties. If at the same time a person smokes, lives in areas with polluted air, often suffers from respiratory diseases, then his condition will only worsen. At first, the lack of air occurs only during physical exertion, and then it is present on an ongoing basis. If a person does not receive adequate treatment, then it will be impossible to get rid of the problem in the future. The gas composition of the blood changes, the brain begins to suffer from hypoxia. With severe hypoxia, encephalopathy develops.
The following symptoms indicate an attack of bronchial asthma: difficulty breathing, pain in the chest area, arrhythmia, a small amount of sputum, an increase in the volume of the neck veins. To reduce venous outflow and reduce stress on the heart, the patient sits down and rests his hands on his knees. The attacks are most often disturbed at night and in the early morning. If the attack is severe, then the human skin acquires a bluish tint, it loses its orientation in space, and may faint.
When breathing disorders are the result of chronic lung disease, it affects the person's appearance. The ribcage becomes barrel-shaped, the distance between the ribs increases, the cervical veins and veins of the extremities always remain swollen. Disturbances in the work of the respiratory system are reflected in the state of the cardiovascular system. So, the right half of the heart increases in size, ceases to cope with its functions. In this regard, the venous blood flow will always be overflowing with blood, which contributes to increased shortness of breath.
Hemothorax, pneumothorax, pneumonia - all of these diseases contribute to breathing difficulties. Any inflammation of the lung tissue leads to an increase in body temperature, which is accompanied by intoxication of the body. When you cough, phlegm is released from the lungs.
If a foreign object gets into the respiratory tract, then the person begins to suffocate, his skin turns blue. He will quickly pass out. If you do not help him, then the victim's heart will stop. A food particle or other small part can enter the respiratory tract.
Pulmonary embolism is accompanied by severe shortness of breath and paroxysmal cough. This pathology is most often the result of existing vascular diseases of the lower extremities or heart. Thromboembolism is a serious pathology that can lead to death in the shortest possible time.
In childhood, lack of air most often develops due to the ingress of a foreign body into the respiratory tract, either against the background of pneumonia or with edema of the laryngeal tissues. Croup is a laryngeal edema that develops for a variety of reasons. It can be provoked by laryngitis, diphtheria, and many other diseases. Therefore, if parents notice that their child is choking, turned pale or turned blue, then an ambulance should be called. The more severe the breathing disorder, the higher the risk that the child will die.
There are often cases when suffocation develops against the background of an allergic reaction, or with Quincke's edema. Food allergens, stinging insect venom, medicines, and plant pollen can provoke a similar situation. To relieve the allergic reaction and restore breathing, the child will need emergency medical care with tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation.
Pulmonary dyspnea must be treated correctly. To do this, you should establish the reason that provoked it. If a foreign object has entered the respiratory tract, then it must be removed as soon as possible. In case of an allergic reaction, an antihistamine, glucocorticoids, and adrenaline may be administered. Severe asphyxia requires a conicotomy or tracheostomy.
Asthma is treated in a comprehensive manner. The patient is prescribed beta-adrenergic agonists (Salbutamol), anticholinergics (Ipratropium bromide), methyl relaxants (Euphyllin), glucocorticosteroids (Prednisolone, Triamcinolone).
If the cause of shortness of breath is the inflammatory process, then the patient is prescribed antibiotics, as well as drugs aimed at relieving intoxication. The presence of a tumor in the body, hydrothorax and pneumothorax are conditions that require surgical intervention.
Disturbances in the functioning of the nervous regulation of respiration
In the brain, there are centers that are responsible for human breathing. They control the functioning of the lungs, blood vessels and heart. If damage occurs, then the patient has a lack of air. The causes of such injuries: trauma, cerebral edema, stroke, encephalitis, etc.
Respiratory disorders in this case can be very diverse. Sometimes it becomes less frequent, sometimes more often. In some cases, it is required to connect the patient to the artificial ventilation system.
The least dangerous conditions that contribute to the appearance of breathing difficulties are neuroses, vegetative-vascular dystonia, hysteria. In this case, doctors talk about nervous shortness of breath. Even a person who does not have medical knowledge can determine it. In this case, the patient will often breathe, cry, scream and behave defiantly. During a crisis, a person may experience a feeling of suffocation, but at the same time, physical signs of asphyxia are not observed. The skin remains the same color, the work of internal organs is not disturbed.
For the treatment of neuroses, the patient is prescribed sedatives. Sometimes nervous shortness of breath comes to the fore precisely for the reason that the patient concentrates on this problem. In this case, it will be protracted and will always occur during emotional overstrain.
Various specialists are involved in the treatment of cerebral dyspnea. It can be therapists, psychiatrists and even resuscitators, since mechanical ventilation is required in case of severe brain damage. The brain tumor must be removed. If a person has hysteria, then he is prescribed tranquilizers, sedatives, antipsychotics.
Changes in blood gas
If the gas composition of the blood is disturbed, experts speak of hematogenous dyspnea. At the same time, the level of carbon dioxide in the blood rises, and acidosis develops. Anemia can provoke hematogenous dyspnea, which occurs against a background of various reasons: diabetic coma, the presence of a malignant tumor in the body, severe intoxication, renal failure, etc.
Hematogenous dyspnea causes a feeling of lack of air, but the patient's inhalation and exhalation are not disturbed. A blood test for its gas composition allows you to identify the problem.
To eliminate anemia, you need to take iron and vitamins. A person must eat right, sometimes a blood transfusion is necessary. Detoxification therapy is indicated for patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency. They undergo infusion therapy, hemodialysis and other procedures.
Other causes of lack of air
Sometimes a person, against the background of complete health, may experience acute pain in the chest or back. Heart problems are not always the cause. Discomfort can be provoked by intercostal neuralgia, spinal hernia and even osteochondrosis.
Intercostal neuralgia is indicated by severe pain on one side of the chest, when inhaling it intensifies. Also, movements of the upper half of the body become painful. If a person is emotional and impressionable, then his breathing may become more frequent.
Osteochondrosis causes painful sensations in the spine, which can lead to the development of chronic shortness of breath. Sometimes it resembles shortness of breath, which occurs against the background of cardiovascular or pulmonary pathologies. To get rid of such shortness of breath, you should perform exercise therapy, visit a physiotherapist, masseur, take anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs.
Breathing difficulties are seen in women who are expecting a baby. The longer the period, the more difficult it will be to breathe deeply. The child grows, the uterus grows in size and begins to press hard on the diaphragm. This prevents the lungs from expanding completely, so breathing difficulties may occur. In addition, the woman's body is now working for two to saturate the blood with oxygen not only of the mother herself, but also of the fetus.
During pregnancy, you should especially carefully monitor your breathing. Indeed, sometimes its violations can indicate the development of a serious disease, for example, thromboembolism, anemia, heart failure, etc.
PE during pregnancy is one of the serious pathologies that can provoke breathing disorders. Embolism is dangerous not only for health, but also for a woman's life, therefore, requires emergency medical attention. In this case, breathing becomes noisy, the victim begins to suffocate.
So, breathing difficulties can indicate diseases of almost all organ systems. Moreover, it is not always easy to determine the cause of shortness of breath. Therefore, if breathing problems appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. Emergency medical attention is often required.
Even if the lack of air worries from time to time and does not cause acute respiratory failure, then you should not postpone a visit to the doctor. Especially it is necessary to carefully monitor the breathing of pregnant women and children. Sudden attacks of shortness of breath in any person is a reason for getting medical advice.
Author of the article: Alekseeva Maria Yurievna | Therapist
Education: From 2010 to 2016 Practitioner of the therapeutic hospital of the central medical-sanitary unit No. 21, city of elektrostal. Since 2016 she has been working in the diagnostic center No. 3.
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