Don’t Ignore Your Breathlessness – Take Action On Your Health Today!
Ever find yourself heading up a flight of stairs, when you suddenly have to stop to catch your breath? Most people of an average fitness level experience some kind of exertion when taking the stairs, but what do you do if you’re not even halfway up when it happens? This can be embarrassing but more importantly, it can be a sign that you need to take better care of your health. Shortness of breath is actually one of the most common reasons for people visiting the emergency room. So, if you have never experienced it before and it comes on rapidly, it’s best to seek emergency help. But if you have been noticing difficulty breathing over a longer period of time, it could be to do with a more long-term condition or even your lifestyle. Here are some of the causes of shortness of breath and what you can do to make sure you stay fit and healthy.
Undiagnosed asthma
An estimated 300,000 million people all over the world suffer with asthma, making it one of the most common conditions on the planet. Most of us will know someone, or perhaps a handful of people, who live with it. Usually, it is manageable and those who suffer from asthma can live an entirely normal life. But there are occasions where it can turn more serious, and it some cases, it can even be a cause of death. If you feel like you literally cannot breathe, it may be an asthma attack, in which case you should go to the ER immediately. If you just suffer from shortness of breath, it can be worth seeing your doctor who may be able to diagnose you with asthma. If they do, you will probably be put on medication to manage it and you may be required to use an inhaler.
Smoking
Smoking cigarettes is the leading cause of lung cancer, with 80% of cases being related to the smoking of tobacco. This is because the chemicals in cigarettes (there are up to 2000) interfere with the ways in which our lungs deal with air. Ultimately, smoking can cause our lungs to become congested, which may lead to you dealing with shortness of breath. The best way to solve this issue is to quit smoking for good. In order to help you quit, you might want to consider vaping instead, which is a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes. In order to learn more, visit the Shoreditch site for more information.
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Obesity
Being overweight or obese can severely contribute to breathlessness. Your body is carrying a lot of extra weight, therefore it has to work twice as hard to get you from A to B. This can put a lot of pressure on your heart and lungs, as well as on your joints. You could also pass out and suffer a fall by overexerting yourself whilst carrying a lot of weight. In order to shed the pounds and feel fitter again, start paying more attention to your diet. Losing weight is 80% diet and 20% exercise, so start including more fruits and vegetables in your daily meals. You will soon feel able to start exercising more and in time, you will notice that you breathe easier too.
