Causes of Sudden Shortness of Breath and How to Overcome It

According to Medical News Today – Have you ever experienced sudden shortness of breath? This condition occurs when the lungs are not getting enough air. There are various causes of sudden shortness of breath, ranging from mild to severe conditions.

Shortness of breath can cause the sufferer to have difficulty breathing as if they are suffocating, the chest feels compressed, and breathing becomes faster and shorter. As a result, discomfort and anxiety may arise.

Although not always dangerous, shortness of breath should not be taken lightly. This is because this condition can be a warning signal for the body when there is a health problem.

Causes of sudden shortness of breath

Sudden or acute shortness of breath generally only occurs briefly, approximately a few minutes to a few hours.

However, this condition is sometimes accompanied by other symptoms, such as coughing, rash, and fever.

Here are the causes of sudden shortness of breath that you should be aware of.

1. Asthma

Many people come to the emergency department with shortness of breath due to asthma.

This disease occurs when the airways become inflamed, swelling, narrowing and producing excess mucus.

Besides triggering shortness of breath, asthma also causes chest tightness, coughing and wheezing (a “gurgling” sound when breathing in).

Some people with asthma experience shortness of breath only under certain conditions, such as after exercise.

Others may experience chronic or prolonged shortness of breath.

2. Pulmonary embolism

Sudden shortness of breath can also be caused by a pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the pulmonary artery that supplies blood to the lungs. This blockage prevents oxygen from reaching the lung tissue, causing shortness of breath.

Not only that, the sufferer can also feel dizzy, severe chest pain, increased or irregular heartbeat, and have a cough accompanied by blood and mucus.

3. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection that causes the air sacs in one or both lungs to become inflamed. This condition can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus, causing the sufferer to have difficulty breathing.

Apart from sudden breathlessness, this condition can also cause fever, chest pain, coughing up phlegm or pus, and chills.

4. Heart failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle weakens and is unable to pump enough blood to fulfil the body’s needs.

Generally, heart failure is caused by an underlying condition, such as coronary heart disease. If you experience this condition, you may feel shortness of breath and fatigue.

5. Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause sudden shortness of breath. This condition is triggered by the build-up of carbon monoxide in the bloodstream.

Carbon monoxide is a colourless and odourless gas produced by burning petrol, wood, charcoal or other fuels.

If the air you breathe contains a lot of carbon monoxide, the body will replace the oxygen in the red blood cells with the gas.

This can lead to serious tissue damage and even death.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can also cause shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, and loss of consciousness.

6. Hypotension

Hypotension or severe low blood pressure can cause serious heart problems and organ failure. This is because oxygen and nutrients cannot reach important organs in the body.

Hypotension can also cause symptoms of shortness of breath that makes your breathing quick and short, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and blurred vision.

7. Anaemia

Since there are many underlying conditions, it’s not surprising that some people ask: what is shortness of breath?

One of the most common triggers is anaemia. This condition occurs due to a decrease in the number of red blood cells circulating in the body.

Anaemia is usually triggered by other diseases that interfere with the body’s ability to produce healthy red blood cells or increase the breakdown and loss of these blood cells.

Not only shortness of breath, you may also experience symptoms of rapid heartbeat, dizziness, headache, chest pain and pale skin.

8. Anxiety

The cause of sudden breathlessness can also be due to anxiety.

When you feel anxious, your body will react physically and mentally to prepare a fight-or-flight response to a threatening situation.

Shortness of breath due to anxiety can make it difficult to breathe, feel tight in the chest, or like you are suffocating or need air.

Other symptoms that can occur are faster breathing (hyperventilation), feeling like something is stuck in your throat, muscle tension, heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea, stomach discomfort, and restlessness.

9. Choking

Choking can also cause sudden shortness of breath. When choking, the blockage in the throat makes it difficult for air to enter and exit the lungs.

Inhaling something, such as food, liquid, or other objects, into the lungs can also block airflow, causing shortness of breath.

10. Allergic reaction

Do you have allergies? Allergic reactions due to dust, pollen, and pet dander, can trigger shortness of breath as they cause the throat and airways to narrow or swell.

People with allergies can experience sudden shortness of breath if exposed to the allergen that triggers it on a continuous basis so it needs to be avoided.

11. Side effects of certain medications

Another reason for sudden shortness of breath is the side effects of certain medications, such as beta-blockers, statins, ACE inhibitors, and chemotherapy drugs.

Therefore, you need to consult your doctor regarding the use of any medications that you are taking.

Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, can also cause shortness of breath so they should not be used carelessly.

12. Being at high altitude

Being at high altitudes, such as hills or mountains, can cause breathlessness due to the lack of oxygen in the air.

Low oxygen levels in aeroplanes can also cause sudden shortness of breath, dizziness and difficulty concentrating.

13. Heart attack

Sudden chest tightness could be a sign of a heart attack. This is an emergency medical condition that occurs when the heart muscle is deprived of blood flow.

Interruption of blood flow to the heart can damage or destroy the heart muscle, making it potentially fatal.

If the heart is unable to pump blood properly, you may feel short of breath. Other symptoms include chest pain, day and night sweats, fatigue, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, nausea or vomiting.

Heart attacks occur suddenly, but are usually caused by long-standing heart disease.

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