Common causes of shortness of breath

Shortness of breath may feel like air hunger, tightness, rapid breathing, or difficulty completing a sentence. Asthma can narrow and inflame the airways, while Acute Bronchitis may cause breathlessness with cough after an infection. COPD and Bronchiectasis can produce ongoing symptoms, phlegm, and reduced exercise tolerance. Anaemia can reduce oxygen delivery to tissues. Angina and Atrial Fibrillation can affect breathing through the heart and circulation. Anaphylaxis can cause sudden breathing difficulty with swelling, hives, wheezing, or throat tightness. The speed of onset, activity level, chest symptoms, fever, wheeze, and position all help distinguish possible causes.

Stop and rest in an upright position. Use a prescribed reliever inhaler according to your personal action plan, if you have one. Avoid smoke and other known irritants, and note whether symptoms occur at rest, during exertion, at night, or after exposure to an allergen. Arrange medical review for new, persistent, recurring, or gradually worsening breathlessness. Bring a list of medicines and describe cough, phlegm, fever, chest discomfort, swelling, and any recent illness.

Call emergency services for sudden severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, inability to speak in full sentences, chest pain, collapse, confusion, or signs of Anaphylaxis such as throat swelling or widespread hives. Seek prompt advice for breathlessness at rest, rapidly worsening symptoms, coughing blood, or new breathing difficulty with a known heart or lung condition. Do not wait for a routine appointment when breathing feels unsafe.

Ask: Is the pattern more consistent with an airway, lung, heart, blood, or allergic problem? Do I need an oxygen check, chest examination, or other tests? How should I use my inhaler, and which changes require emergency help?