Note: If you have a new or ongoing cough, a high temperature (fever) or you've noticed a change in your sense of smell or taste, you may have coronavirus (COVID-19).
Sudden shortness of breath, or breathing difficulty, is the most common reason for visiting a hospital accident and emergency department.
It's also one of the most common reasons people call for an ambulance.
It is normal to get out of breath when you have over-exerted yourself, but when breathlessness comes on suddenly and unexpectedly, it is usually a warning sign of a medical condition. The medical name for it is dyspnoea.
You should call your doctor immediately if you have sudden shortness of breath, as there may be a problem with your airways or heart. Your doctor will assess you over the phone and may either visit you at home or admit you to hospital.
If your shortness of breath is due to anxiety, you may be asked to come to the surgery rather than a home visit.
Feeling that you cannot get enough air can be terrifying, but doctors are well trained in managing this. You will be given oxygen to breathe through a mask to help your symptoms while they investigate and treat the health condition causing your breathing problems.
If you have struggled with your breathing for a while, don't ignore it: see your doctor as it is likely that you have a long-term condition, such as
, [asthma or , which will need managing properly.The information below outlines the most common reasons for:
This guide should not be used to self-diagnose your condition, but should give you an idea of what is causing your breathlessness.
Sudden and unexpected breathlessness is most likely to be caused by one of the following health conditions. Click on the links below for more information about these conditions.
Sudden breathlessness could be an asthma attack. This means your airways have narrowed and you will produce more phlegm (sticky mucus), which will cause you to wheeze and cough. You will feel breathless because it will be difficult to move air in and out of your airways.
Your doctor may advise you to use a spacer device with your asthma inhaler. This will deliver more medicine to your lungs, helping to relieve your breathlessness.
Pneumonia (lung inflammation) may also cause shortness of breath and a cough. It is usually caused by an infection, so you will need to take antibiotics.
If you have
(COPD), it is likely your breathlessness is a sign this condition has suddenly got worse.It is possible to have a "silent"
without experiencing all the obvious symptoms, such as and overwhelming anxiety. In this case, shortness of breath may be the only warning sign you are having a heart attack. If you or your doctor think this is the case, they will give you aspirin and admit you to hospital straight away. can also cause breathing difficulties. This life-threatening condition means your heart is having trouble pumping enough blood around your body, usually because the heart muscle has become too weak or stiff to work properly. It leads to a build-up of water inside the lungs, which makes breathing more difficult.A combination of lifestyle changes and medicines or surgery will help the heart pump better and relieve your breathlessness.
Breathlessness could also relate to a problem with your heart rate or rhythm, such as atrial fibrillation (an irregular and fast heart rate) or supraventricular tachycardia (regular and fast heart rate).
A
or [anxiety can cause you to take rapid or deep breaths, known as hyperventilating. Concentrating on slow breathing or breathing through a paper bag should bring your breathing back to normal.These include:
Long-term breathlessness is usually caused by:
Click on the links above for more information on these conditions.
More unusual causes of long-term breathlessness are:
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.