Trouble Breathing? Here Are 7 Possible Causes
Breathing issues are never a good sign. If you’ve recently found yourself wheezing or struggling to catch your breath, it could be due to a range of different possible causes. Below are some of the different things that can cause breathing difficulties.
Allergens
If breathing difficulties are not constant and seem to come on suddenly in certain environments, it’s likely that you are experiencing an allergic reaction. Seasonal breathlessness accompanied by itchy eyes or sneezing is likely due to hayfever (many people with hayfever do not experience breathing problems, but some do). If you are experiencing breathing issues around pets, you may have developed a pet allergy. Breathing issues experienced indoors in dusty environments could meanwhile be due to a dust mite allergy.
Other allergen substances like foods can also cause breathing difficulties. In this instance, you’ll usually also experience swelling or itchiness of the mouth, throat and tongue. These types of allergies can be more serious and not something you should ignore.
You may be able to relieve an allergic reaction by taking antihistamines or by using an inhaler. If breathing problems become serious, you should take steps to avoid allergy triggers. Seeing a doctor is recommended to help diagnose your allergy and get the right treatment.
Infection
Breathing issues could be due to an infection in your lungs. If you start to experience wheezing and you’ve got a cough, a lung infection is the likely cause. This could be due to a virus or bacteria.
While lung infections can clear up on their own, it’s usually best to see a doctor. You may be prescribed antibiotics to help clear up the infection. Frequent lung infections could be a sign of another underlying lung problem such as COPD or misshapen lungs – this is something a doctor will be able to look into.
Smoking
Do you smoke? Have you noticed your breathing getting gradually worse over several years? It is likely that you are experiencing lung damage as a result of your smoking habit. Smoking is one of the biggest causes of conditions like bronchitis and emphysema (collectively known as COPD). It’s also one of the biggest causes of lung cancer. By seeing a doctor, you will be able to get a diagnosis.
If you start to experience any kind of breathing difficulties, you should take efforts to quit smoking to prevent it getting worse. Even if smoking is not the underlying cause, it will aggravate it. Second-hand smoking can also be a danger, so be wary of hanging out with people who smoke heavily.
Pollution
Living in an area with high levels of air pollution can also put you at risk of developing breathing issues. Studies show that people living in more polluted areas are much more likely to develop asthma, COPD and lung cancer.
In heavily polluted cities and areas near factories, it is recommended that you wear a facemask when out in public. If you start to experience breathing issues, see a doctor.
Dust
Breathing in high levels of dust can also cause damage to our lungs, which can lead to breathing difficulties. Pneumoconiosis is a name for dust-related lung disease and is often caused by working in certain dusty environments like building sites, flour mills and factories.
There is no treatment for pneumoconiosis, however it can be managed by using medication or by taking oxygen. Wearing a mask in dusty environments can reduce your risk of developing this condition.
Asbestos
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos in your lifetime and you’ve started to experience breathing difficulties, there’s a possibility that you may have developed a cancer called mesothelioma. This is caused by irritation to the lungs as a result of breathing in asbestos fibres. At-risk jobs include construction, building inspection, tire setting and excavation.
The main treatment for mesothelioma is chemotherapy, however there are other treatments available. You can find asbestos resources online that offer more tips on how to treat mesothelioma.
Mold
Do you have lots of mold growing in your home? This fungus could be getting into your lungs, leading to respiratory issues such as asthma or a more serious condition known as aspergillosis. Such respiratory conditions are often accompanied by nausea, coughing, itchy eyes, an itchy nose, and a musty smell/taste in the mouth.
A doctor will be able to diagnose if you have a mold-related respiratory condition and recommend the best form of treatment. Quite often, getting away from the mold or clearing up the mold will make a dramatic difference to your breathing. Check out this guide on how to get rid of mold. If you live in rented accommodation, it may be the duty of the landlord to get rid of the modl.
