In another study , the researchers did not find any clear benefit from using fan therapy, though it did appear to help some groups. Heat and moisture from steam may also break down mucus in the lungs, which might also reduce breathlessness. People should leave the water to cool slightly if it has just boiled. Otherwise, the steam could scald the skin on the face. This can be enough to make it easier for them to take in air. People should watch their caffeine intake when trying this remedy to make sure that they do not drink too much.
Eating fresh ginger , or adding some to hot water as a drink, may help reduce shortness of breath that occurs due to a respiratory infection. One study suggests that ginger may be effective in fighting the respiratory syncytial virus , which is a common cause of respiratory infections.
Depending on the cause of the breathlessness, there may be some changes that a person can make to their lifestyle to avoid their triggers and ease their symptoms. Some people may experience shortness of breath suddenly and for just a short period of time. Others may experience it more regularly. Shortness of breath that occurs regularly may have a common cause or be the result of a more serious underlying condition.
Regular shortness of breath may be due to a more serious condition that affects the heart or lungs. The heart and lungs help carry oxygen around the body and get rid of carbon dioxide.
There are also some causes of acute, or sudden, shortness of breath that indicate a medical emergency. These include:. Dyspnea is the medical term for shortness of breath. People experiencing this may feel that taking a breath is uncomfortable, shallow, or difficult.
People may also experience chest tightness linked to shortness of breath. They may feel lightheaded if they are unable to get enough oxygen into their lungs. Shortness of breath. Immediate action required: Call if:. You're struggling to breathe or you have sudden shortness of breath and: your chest feels tight or heavy you have pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck and jaw you feel sick or are being sick You could be having a heart attack or a problem with your lungs or airway.
Call immediately as you need treatment in hospital. Have your doctor assess you for sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine if recommended. Diaphragmatic breathing can also help manage shortness of breath. A study found that combining these breathing strategies helped expand chest volume in a group of people with COPD and reduced the number of breaths they needed to take.
Various experts recommend using a fan to blow cool air and help relieve shortness of breath, and some older research supports this. Pointing a small handheld fan toward your face may help your symptoms. Findings published in found using a fan helped people who had difficulty breathing due to late-stage cancer. An early study indicated that caffeine relaxes the muscles in the airways of people with asthma , which could help improve lung function for up to 4 hours. It does this by blocking the receptors of certain chemicals that contribute to shortness of breath.
But ask your doctor before increasing your caffeine intake. Because of its stimulant effects, consuming too much caffeine may have a negative impact on your health, especially if you have heart disease.
Learn more about how caffeine affects the body. There are many possible causes of shortness of breath, some of which are serious and require emergency medical care. If you know why you have difficulty breathing and the symptoms are mild, you can take steps to relieve it at home.
Learn about how to prepare for high altitudes if you have COPD. Medications for breathlessness include :. Some people who have a lung condition benefit from a form of therapy known as pulmonary rehabilitation.
A therapist will teach you ways to manage breathlessness. They can also advise on lifestyle choices like boosting fitness levels and quitting smoking, if appropriate. Pulmonary rehabilitation can help you manage your breathing and may improve your overall wellbeing and quality of life. Counseling like cognitive-behavioral therapy CBT might be suitable for some people with shortness of breath.
CBT can help you find new ways to face stressful situations. This type of therapy can help address some of the factors that cause breathlessness or make it worse. Heart damage congestive heart failure. Anemia low number of red blood cells in your body. Shortness of breath can be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause. Back to top Relieving Your Shortness of Breath The best way to relieve shortness of breath is to treat the cause.
General tips Try using a small, handheld fan to blow air at your face if you start to feel winded. This is an immediate way to relieve shortness of breath. In your daily activities, do only as much activity as you can without becoming uncomfortable. If you feel winded, stop and rest until your breathing goes back to how it was when you started.
Then, start the activity again, if you can. Oxygen Every cell in your body needs oxygen. You can get extra oxygen in 2 ways: With a concentrator. A concentrator is a small machine that takes oxygen from the air and gives it to you through a thin, flexible tube that rests under your nose. Through a prefilled, portable oxygen tank. You can take the tank with you wherever you go. Once the tank runs out of oxygen, it can be refilled.
A respiratory or home care company can supply oxygen for you at home, if needed.
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