What causes the feeling of shortness of breath or difficulty breathing?
Sep 16, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the main causes of feeling shortness of breath or difficulty breathing include excessive tension and anxiety, strenuous exercise, as well as conditions such as bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart failure. If you experience any discomfort, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention and treatment at a正规 hospital. In daily life, maintain emotional stability and avoid excessive stress; exercise should be moderate and planned according to individual circumstances.
Generally, the main causes of feeling short of breath and struggling to breathe include excessive tension and anxiety, strenuous exercise, as well as conditions such as bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart failure. If symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely diagnosis and treatment at a qualified hospital. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Excessive Tension and Anxiety
When experiencing intense emotional stress or anxiety, the sympathetic nervous system becomes overactive, increasing breathing rate and potentially causing shortness of breath. Practicing deep breathing, meditation, and shifting attention can help relieve symptoms. If symptoms occur frequently, medications such as estazolam tablets, alprazolam tablets, or lorazepam tablets may be taken under a doctor's guidance.
2. Strenuous Exercise
Following intense physical activity, oxygen demand increases sharply, and insufficient lung ventilation may lead to shortness of breath. It is advisable to stop exercising immediately, walk slowly, regulate breathing rhythm, and gradually progress in physical training to avoid sudden high-intensity exercise.
Inflammation of the airways causes airway spasms, leading to recurrent episodes of shortness of breath. During acute attacks, medications such as salbutamol aerosol, budesonide-formoterol powder inhaler, and montelukast sodium tablets may be used under medical supervision. Avoid exposure to allergens such as pollen and dust mites.
4. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Long-term smoking and air pollution can cause airway obstruction, resulting in persistent shortness of breath. Medications such as tiotropium bromide powder inhaler, ipratropium bromide aerosol, and aminophylline tablets may be used under a doctor's guidance. Quit smoking and avoid polluted environments.
5. Heart Failure
Declining cardiac pumping function leads to pulmonary congestion, causing shortness of breath. Medications such as furosemide tablets, spironolactone tablets, and digoxin tablets should be taken under medical supervision. In severe cases, cardiac resynchronization therapy may be required. Daily salt intake should be controlled, and excessive fatigue should be avoided.
In daily life, it is important to maintain emotional stability and avoid excessive stress; exercise should be moderate and tailored to individual capacity; smoking should be quit and polluted environments avoided; underlying diseases should be managed, and regular check-ups conducted; and diet should be balanced, with reduced intake of salt and greasy foods.
