Speaking, or dyspnea, corresponds to a respiratory discomfort which can go from a slight difficulty in breathing until the feeling of completely lacking in air. This can then occur in different situations. At rest, by effort, sometimes even in an elongated position (orthopneous). It can be a passenger and benign, or the sign of an underlying health disorder. For Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency artist and medical director of True Medical, several causes can be at the origin. Vigilance!
A lack of exercise
This is called the physical deconditioning. You blow, because you do not practice enough exercise for too long. “If you are sedentary, your body is not used to the effort, which causes rapid shortness of breath” Clarifies Dr. Kierzek.
The sign of anxiety or stress
A sudden anxiety attack can also cause hyperventilation and a feeling of lack of air, even if you are young and trained.
Anemia
We know less, but a lack of red blood cells and/or iron also reduces the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen, causing fatigue and lack of breath. This deficiency can therefore promote faster breath.
Obesity or overweight
The extra pounds can also weigh in the scale and run out of breath much faster at the slightest movement. “”The body must provide more effort to move, which can cause breath ” confirms our expert.
Allergies or light asthma
An allergic reaction or an unmatched asthma can cause breathing difficulties in effort, and inconvenience or at least reduce your usual capacities.
Heart problems
If you suffer from heart failure, this means that your heart does not pump enough blood, limiting the oxygenation of muscles and organs. This can also be another serious cause of your breath.
Pulmonary diseases
Pulmonary diseases, such as COPD, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis can obviously cause a lack of breath. “Concretely, the lungs themselves do not provide enough oxygen” continues our expert.
Respiratory infection
Finally, in the case of a respiratory infection that can be encountered during bronchitis, pneumonia or COVID-19, an existing shortness of breath can also settle.
When should you consult, if I run out too much?
If breathlessness is therefore not always a sign of extreme gravity, it must still challenge you. “It is a sign to never trivialize” estimates our expert.
It is also essential to consult without delay in three specific cases:
- If the breathlessness is new, worsens or persists;
- If it is accompanied by chest pain, dizziness or discomfort;
- If you have cardiac or pulmonary history.
Where is your breath: measure it for free thanks to this initiative
Do you know where your breath is? The measurement of breath, however essential, is today insufficiently carried out in France. A loss of chance, while asthma affects more than 4 million people and COPD (chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathy) concerns 3 to 3.5 million individuals.
As of now, the Tour de France Itinerair takes service for the 3rd edition. And will stop in several cities to test the breath of passers -by via a connected Spirometer. See you on May 13 in Besançon, June 4 in Nancy, September 9 in Grenoble, and in October in Paris.