Show
I can’t breathe! I feel short of breath all of the time. We hear these statements every day at PAH specialty centers. We take vital signs of blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate and oxygen saturation and patients are always surprised if their oxygen saturations are within normal limits. Read below to learn more. What is oxygen saturation?Oxygen saturation measures the percentage of hemoglobin in your blood that is carrying oxygen. Many physician offices measure this by putting a pulse oximeter, commonly called a pulse ox, on a patient’s finger. There are two numbers on the pulse ox, the pulse and the oxygen saturation. A normal oxygen saturation reading is 95-100%. Physicians aren’t generally concerned about readings above 90%. 3 Factors to consider while measuring oxygen saturationThere are a few factors that may affect the accuracy of a pulse oximeter reading. 1. Nail polish. Because the pulse oximeter relies on light passing through the finger, patients wearing nail polish may not be able to get an accurate reading. 2. Low blood flow. Some diseases such as scleroderma can lead to low blood flow in the fingers. Because the pulse oximeter relies on hemoglobin in the blood it will not give an accurate reading if there is low blood flow. 3. Accurate reading? Most pulse oximeters have an indicator to let the healthcare professional know if it is getting an accurate reading. Some of them have lights that turn green, others have a bar on the side that is illuminated or an illuminated heart. It makes sense that if the pulse ox is not indicating that it is getting an accurate signal, the reading will not be accurate. The health care professional may wait a moment to see if the pulse ox starts to pick up a signal, warm up patients hands and try again or use a different type of pulse ox on the ear. How can my oxygen saturation be normal when I am short of breath?Many patients assume that if they are feeling short of breath their oxygen saturations must be low. The oxygen saturation measures the amount of oxygen in the blood not the amount of oxygen rich blood that is being pumped through the body by the heart. Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and other advanced lung diseases may cause strain on the heart causing it to pump less efficiently. An inefficient heart has a lower cardiac output, a lower amount of blood being sent out of the heart to the rest of the body with each beat. This leads to the feeling of shortness of breath. Adding supplemental oxygen to a patient with normal oxygen saturations will generally not improve their shortness of breath. Treatments for this shortness of breath with normal oxygen saturations should be focused on treating the underlying disease causing the decreased cardiac output.
What is dyspnea? Patients with dyspnea often describe tightness of the chest and a smothering sensation. These feelings can cause anxiety and psychological distress that makes symptoms worse, creating a vicious cycle. Dyspnea is the medical term for shortness of breath. Patients with dyspnea often describe tightness of the chest and a smothering sensation. These feelings can cause anxiety and psychological distress that makes symptoms worse, creating a vicious cycle. Dyspnea isn't a condition or a disorder, but is instead a symptom that can be caused by many medical conditions. It's a self-reported symptom, since health professionals can't observe their patients and judge the severity of their dyspnea. Some health facilities have trained their staff to have patients to rate their dyspnea just as they rate their pain. Many people experience dyspnea at some point in their lives. Around one quarter of patients seen on an outpatient basis report breathlessness. If you have dyspnea, treating the condition that is causing it should give you relief. If there is no cure for your underlying condition, your doctor may show you some ways to manage your shortness of breath. Symptoms of dyspneaIt's somewhat inaccurate to discuss the symptoms of dyspnea since it is already a symptom. But those with dyspnea report these sensations: Awareness of breathDyspnea has been described as an abnormal awareness of breathing. Humans are mostly unaware of the breathing process that keeps them alive. For that reason, being conscious of breathing is an uncomfortable experience that can cause anxiety. Tightness of the chestDyspnea can cause you to feel a constriction in the chest. This tightness can make you feel that you can't get a deep breath and can lead to a smothering sensation. This sensation is sometimes described as air hunger. Some people say they feel that they have to work very hard to take a breath. Other sensationsSometimes people with dyspnea report feeling overheated. They may also feel panicky or overwhelmed. For a number of people, dyspnea can be accurately described as a debilitating sensation. Causes of dyspneaIn many cases, dyspnea is not caused by low oxygen saturation in the blood. It's possible to have dyspnea with normal blood oxygen levels. Some cases of dyspnea are caused by anxiety, and shortness of breath is a common symptom of panic attack. Still, most cases of dyspnea have some physical cause, many of them falling into one of these categories: Respiratory causesIt may seem logical that dyspnea stems from problems with the lungs and respiratory system, and that's but not always true. Dyspnea can be triggered by breathing problems such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you seek medical help for dyspnea, your doctor will examine your lungs by listening for breath sounds such as wheezes and crackles. Fingers with widened tips, a condition known as clubbing, can also be a sign of respiratory problems. Tests such as chest X-ray and bronchoscopy can give your doctor more information. Cardiovascular causesDyspnea can occur when the heart doesn’t beat strongly enough to meet the body's need for oxygenated blood. If you have dyspnea from cardiac problems, you will probably have other signs of heart trouble. You may exhibit reduced heart sounds or irregular heartbeat. Your doctor may be able to observe fluid buildup in the body, called edema. The jugular veins may be distended. Diagnostic tests such as echocardiogram and stress testing can be helpful. Conditions of the nerves and musclesDiseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and myasthenia gravis can cause general bodily weakness that can lead to dyspnea. Another cause is general physical deconditioning, in which the body weakens from inactivity. Deconditioning can result from surgery or serious illness, or it can come from poor lifestyle choices. QUESTIONCOPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is the same as adult-onset asthma. See AnswerWhen to see the doctor for dyspneaExertion, high temperatures, and high elevations can bring on dyspnea even if you are healthy. If you are overweight, you may also get short of breath easily. In these cases, you do not need to see a doctor. If you have a sudden onset of breathlessness that prevents you from functioning normally, you should seek medical care immediately. Other signs that you need immediate care include:
You should also see a doctor if you have symptoms such as fever, chills, and cough with your shortness of breath. You should also see a doctor for less acute cases of dyspnea, although you don't have to go to the emergency room or urgent care. Treating dyspneaDyspnea is usually treated by treating the underlying cause. Also, your doctor may be able to give you medications or inhalers that will help you breathe more easily. If your oxygen levels are low, supplementary oxygen may help. Lifestyle changes can improve dyspnea. Losing weight can be especially effective, as obesity increases the risk of asthma and other breathing problems. Being overweight can also cause joint pain and other conditions that make moving difficult, leading to deconditioning. If the underlying cause of your breathlessness cannot be treated, or if the cause is undetermined, you may get relief from learning some breathing techniques. You can do this on your own or as part of a pulmonary rehabilitation program. It may also be possible to fool your brain into thinking that you are breathing more easily. One way to do this is by using a hand-held fan to direct air toward the face. 72% of the participants across three studies have benefitted from breathing with a fan. When should I be concerned about my child's breathing?Most children will get an infection at some point that affects their respiratory system and can result in breathing problems. Children under the age of 3 often have more severe symptoms than older children, and are at risk of becoming seriously ill if not monitored closely. It’s important to be aware of what symptoms to look for to know when your child needs to see a doctor. Signs and symptoms of respiratory distress include:
If your child is having trouble breathing because of respiratory distress, you need to seek medical attention immediately. Health NewsWhat causes respiratory problems?Upper respiratory tract infections The upper respiratory system includes the nose, mouth, sinuses, and throat. Upper respiratory tract infections may be caused by viruses (most common), bacteria, and fungi (rare). Symptoms of upper respiratory infections include:
Lower respiratory tract infections The lower respiratory system includes the lungs and bronchi (the airways). Symptoms are more severe than those of upper respiratory infections. Lower respiratory system infections usually require medical attention. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Symptoms of lower respiratory system infections include:
Allergies Allergies are very common in children and can cause respiratory problems. Symptoms of allergies include:
Asthma Asthma typically does not occur in infants and very young children, but the risk of asthma increases with age. In young children, coughing may be the only symptom of mild asthma. Wheezing and shortness of breath at night time can occur as asthma worsens. In severe asthma, there may be difficulty breathing and wheezing. Allergies and asthma often occur together. Other causes of respiratory problems
SLIDESHOWCOPD Foods to Boost Your Health - COPD Diet Tips See SlideshowHow to prevent respiratory problemsBreathing problems can’t always be avoided, especially in children. However, the risk of many respiratory infections can be reduced by taking the following steps:
Subscribe to MedicineNet's Allergy and Asthma NewsletterBy clicking "Submit," I agree to the MedicineNet Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also agree to receive emails from MedicineNet and I understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet subscriptions at any time. Medically Reviewed on 4/11/2022 References American Family Physician: "Causes and Evaluation of Chronic Dyspnea." American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine: "Dyspnea: Don't Just Look, Ask!" Bass, J. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. Butterworths, 1990. British Lung Foundation: "Breathlessness." Cancer.net: "Shortness of Breath or Dyspnea." Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education: "Dyspnea." European Respiratory Journal: "Fooling the brain to alleviate dyspnoea." Mayo Clinic: "Shortness of breath." Maturitas: "Understanding dyspnea as a complex individual experience." UpToDate: "Causes of Acute Respiratory Distress in Children." BJA Education: "Paediatric Respiratory Distress." Asthma and Lung UK: "Breathing Problems to Look Out for in Children." WebMD: "Breathing Problems in Children." Can you have shortness of breath but normal oxygen levels?Finding the cause of shortness of breath
A person may have dyspnea even though the actual levels of oxygen are within a normal range. It is important to understand that people do not suffocate or die from dyspnea. But tell your health care team right away if you have any of these symptoms or if they get worse.
What is the most common cause of shortness of breath?Most cases of shortness of breath are due to heart or lung conditions. Your heart and lungs are involved in transporting oxygen to your tissues and removing carbon dioxide, and problems with either of these processes affect your breathing.
When should I be concerned about shortness of breath?Seek emergency medical care if your shortness of breath is accompanied by chest pain, fainting, nausea, a bluish tinge to lips or nails, or a change in mental alertness — as these may be signs of a heart attack or pulmonary embolism.
What causes shortness of breath without hypoxia?Chronic dyspnea is usually due to one of a small number of causes: bronchial asthma, COPD, congestive heart failure, interstitial lung disease, pneumonia, and mental disorders (e.g., anxiety disorders, panic disorders, somatization disorders) (3, 12).
|
What can causes shortness of breath with normal oxygen levels
Copyright © 2024 chuyencu Inc.
