Headache and hard to breathe

Breathing difficulty can mean breathlessness, chest tightness, wheezing, or feeling unable to take a full breath. A Common Cold or COVID-19 may cause headache with cough, congestion, sore throat, or breathlessness. Allergic Rhinitis can block the nose, while anxiety can produce rapid breathing, tingling, and a pressure headache. Heat Exhaustion and Dehydration may cause headache, weakness, dizziness, and fast breathing. More serious heart or lung problems can also begin with breathlessness, so do not use the headache to explain away the breathing symptom.

Stop exertion and sit upright in a position that makes breathing easier. Move away from smoke, fumes, or heat and loosen restrictive clothing. If you have a prescribed reliever inhaler, use it according to your personal action plan. Do not drive yourself if breathing is difficult or you feel faint. Note the onset, triggers, chest symptoms, cough, temperature, and medicines, but do not delay help to complete a symptom record.

Call emergency services now for severe or rapidly worsening breathlessness, blue or grey lips, inability to speak in full sentences, chest pressure or pain, fainting, confusion, coughing blood, or sudden weakness. Urgent assessment is also needed when breathlessness follows a severe allergic reaction or occurs with a sudden severe headache. If symptoms are milder but new, persistent, or limiting normal activity, arrange prompt clinical review.

Could this be an airway, lung, heart, infection, heat, or anxiety problem? Do I need oxygen, testing, or an inhaler review? What is my personal emergency action plan?