When you're short of breath, it's hard or uncomfortable for you to take in the oxygen your body needs. You may feel as if you're not getting enough air. Sometimes you can have mild breathing problems because of a stuffy nose or intense exercise. But shortness of breath can also be a sign of a serious disease. Many conditions can make you feel short of breath: If you often have trouble breathing, it is
important to find out the cause. Start Here
On this page, we explain how the cause of breathlessness is diagnosed. It includes information on what will happen when you see your doctor, the questions they might ask, tests they’ll do and how long it will take to get a diagnosis. Breathlessness is often dismissed as a normal part of ageing, so people don’t tell their doctor. Some people feel responsible for causing their illness and don’t feel they deserve help. While others don’t realise they can get any help for their breathlessness. But getting a diagnosis is very important. If you know what’s causing your breathlessness, you can find out what can help. The earlier you get a diagnosis, the better. And you may feel less anxious once you have a diagnosis.
On this page:
What will happen when I see my doctor?You may not actually feel out of breath when you see your doctor - you’ll be sitting down and may have only walked a short distance. So, think about how you’ll describe your breathlessness. If you’d find it useful, you could bring someone with you who can help describe your breathlessness. Your doctor should show you the MRC breathlessness scale to help describe how breathless you get. The MRC breathlessness scaleThe scale health care professionals usually use to measure breathlessness is the Medical Research Council (MRC) breathlessness scale. This does not recognise other aspects of breathlessness – such as how you think or feel about getting out of breath. The MRC scale shows what your breathlessness stops you doing. Your grade is the one that describes you when you’re at your best.
It’s also important to tell the doctor:
You might find it useful to use local landmarks such as bus stops, shops and hills to help you describe these things.
What questions will my doctor ask?These are the sort of questions your doctor may ask:
Your answers are important because they will help your doctor to understand what’s causing your breathlessness. It would be a good idea to take your answers to these questions with you to your doctor’s appointment. What tests will my doctor do?Your doctor is likely to do some tests to help diagnose what’s causing your breathlessness. They may:
If your doctor spots signs that you’re anxious or depressed, they may also ask you to do a short questionnaire. You might be referred for more tests at your GP surgery, a local testing centre or hospital. For example:
How long will it take to get a diagnosis?Getting a diagnosis for the cause of long-term breathlessness can take some time. Your health care professional must consider all possible causes. You may need to take repeated tests and try various treatments before the cause is identified. Next: Treating breathlessness Download our breathlessness information (PDF, 582KB) What causes shortness of breath with normal oxygen saturation?Shortness of breath is often a symptom of heart and lung problems. But it can also be a sign of other conditions like asthma, allergies or anxiety. Intense exercise or having a cold can also make you feel breathless.
Do oxygen levels drop with shortness of breath?Very often, if you have a condition that causes breathlessness, you will experience a lower oxygen saturation and higher heart rate as a result.
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.
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