Shortness of Breath, Adult

Shortness of breath is when a person has trouble breathing or when a person feels like she or he is having trouble breathing in enough air. Shortness of breath could be a sign of a medical problem.

Follow these instructions at home:

Pollutants

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. These products include cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vaping devices, such as e-cigarettes. This also includes cigars and pipes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Avoid things that can irritate your airways, including:
  • Smoke. This includes campfire smoke, forest fire smoke, and secondhand smoke from tobacco products. Do not smoke or allow others to smoke in your home.
  • Mold.
  • Dust.
  • Air pollution.
  • Chemical fumes.
  • Things that can give you an allergic reaction (allergens) if you have allergies. Common allergens include pollen from grasses or trees and animal dander.
• Keep your living space clean and free of mold and dust.

General instructions

• Pay attention to any changes in your symptoms.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider. This includes oxygen therapy and inhaled medicines.
• Rest as needed.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Keep all follow-up visits. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your condition does not improve as soon as expected.
• You have a hard time doing your normal activities, even after you rest.
• You have new symptoms.
• You cannot walk up stairs or exercise the way that you normally do.

Get help right away if:

• Your shortness of breath gets worse.
• You have shortness of breath when you are resting.
• You feel light-headed or you faint.
• You have a cough that is not controlled with medicines.
• You cough up blood.
• You have pain with breathing.
• You have pain in your chest, arms, shoulders, or abdomen.
• You have a fever.

• Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.
• Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Summary

• Shortness of breath is when a person has trouble breathing enough air. It can be a sign of a medical problem.
• Avoid things that irritate your lungs, such as smoking, pollution, mold, and dust.
• Pay attention to changes in your symptoms and contact your health care provider if you have a hard time completing daily activities because of shortness of breath.