Anxiety causes breathing difficulties
Is My Shortness of Breath from Anxiety?
Anxiety can cause shortness of breath due to changes in heart rate. There are medications, breathing techniques, and mindfulness practices that can help.
Experiencing shortness of breath (dyspnea) or other breathing difficulties can feel scary. But it’s a common symptom of anxiety.
Many people worry that a symptom affecting their breathing must come from a physical issue. In fact, your mental health affects your physical health in a number of ways.
While anxiety can cause shortness of breath and other physical symptoms, it’s important to acknowledge that experiencing shortness of breath for other reasons may also create anxiety.
Here’s what you need to know about this symptom and when to see your doctor.
Anxiety is your body’s natural fear response. This is known as the fight-or-flight response. Your body reacts in physical and mental ways to prepare you to either fight or run from a threatening situation.
Shortness of breath is one of those responses. You may feel like you can’t catch your breath, tightness in your chest, or like you’re suffocating or hungry for air.
Studies have shown a strong association between anxiety and respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath.
Other symptoms that can occur during this response and as a result of anxiety include:
- faster breathing (hyperventilation)
- chest tightness
- breathlessness or a feeling of suffocation
- feeling like you have a lump in your throat
- muscle tension
- heart palpitations (feels like a stronger, faster heartbeat)
- feeling faint, dizzy, or unsteady
- nausea or stomach discomfort
- restlessness, irritability, or feeling on edge
Shortness of breath and other physical symptoms happen in the fight-or-flight response to protect you. With anxiety, you may not be running for your life. But your body still responds as if you are.
You experience chest tightening, shortness of breath, and faster breathing because your body is trying to get more oxygen to your muscles, preparing you to run.
Your heart rate increases and you may feel hot as more blood pumps into your muscles, preparing you to fight.
All of these symptoms are normal body responses designed to save your life.
Of course, you probably aren’t often running or fighting for your life — from wild bear attacks or men with chain saws. But your body still reacts to your trip to the crowded grocery store, your work presentation, and other anxiety-provoking events as if you were.
When you’re experiencing shortness of breath from an anxiety attack, it may seem counterintuitive that your breathing is what you should focus on.
But by focusing on your breathing, you can get it under control and the right amount of oxygen into your lungs.
Experts recommend practicing diaphragmatic breathing. This is a type of breathing technique that uses your diaphragm — the most efficient breathing muscle we have.
When you’re experiencing shortness of breath, you’re generally breathing from your mouth or chest.
But diaphragmatic breathing can:
- slow your breathing rate
- decrease your demand for oxygen
- use less effort and energy to breathe
Here’s how to practice diaphragmatic breathing:
- Sit up comfortably in a chair or lie back on a flat surface, like your bed, with your head supported.
- Place one hand on your upper chest and the other below your rib cage. This will allow you to better feel your diaphragm as you breathe.
- Breathe in slowly through your nose so your stomach moves out against your hand.
- Tighten your stomach muscles. Let them fall inward as you exhale through your nose or your mouth (depending on what’s easier for you).
- Continue to take deep breaths in and out, feeling your stomach rise in and out. Do this for 5 to 10 minutes a day.
Tips: You’re less likely to experience shortness of breath or hyperventilation while breathing in and out through your nose. It’s also normal to get tired or feel like it’s a lot of effort when you first begin this breathing practice.
With more practice, this breathing technique will become automatic and easy.
“The more you can slow down the physical sensations during periods of high anxiety, the more you can use your rational mind to assess what is going on.”
- Elke Zuercher-White in “An End to Panic”
You can also try these anxiety-relieving techniques:
- Grounding techniques. One type of grounding technique (progressive muscle relaxation) involves clenching muscles and slowly releasing them. Focus entirely on these sensations.
- Mindful distractions. Find something to distract your mind from panicking to help you calm down. Try describing things around you to keep your focus on something else. What color is your couch? What is its texture?
- Talk with yourself. Now that you know these symptoms are a part of your body’s automatic response, remind yourself of this. In the moment of panic or anxiety, tell yourself “I can’t breathe because my body is trying to get more oxygen” or “I’ve been evaluated and my heart is fine.
” Talking with yourself rationally can pull you out of the anxiety. - Exercise. It may seem strange to exercise in the midst of an anxiety attack, but going for a quick run or expending some of that built-up energy may actually work for you. Your body is preparing itself to run anyway — you might as well take advantage of it.
- Self-care. You can practice self-care in simple ways. Drink herbal tea (but avoid caffeinated tea, as it can increase anxiety). Light candles with a pleasant aroma. Write down your feelings. Turn on some soothing music.
- Shock yourself. Shocking your system by dipping your face in a bowl of ice water is actually a technique recommended by therapists to help pull you out of a thought spiral.
If you notice shortness of breath before experiencing a full-blown panic attack, learn to recognize it and don’t ignore it. Start focusing on your breathing before the anxiety escalates.
For long-term strategies, consider seeing a mental health professional.
They can evaluate your needs and help teach you coping mechanisms that’ll work for you.
Practicing your breathing daily, other forms of mindfulness, and taking up relaxing yoga may also help.
The main way to prevent shortness of breath and other physical symptoms of anxiety is to practice techniques and learn your triggers when you’re not experiencing them.
You don’t prepare for an earthquake during an earthquake; you prepare beforehand. Anxiety is the same.
One of the most helpful preventive techniques is to maintain a thought log. In a thought log, you write down the automatic thoughts you had in your last moment of anxiety or panic. It’s helpful for discovering triggers as well as helping you reflect on your anxiety in a calmer state.
You can also write down what sensations you’re experiencing while you’re experiencing them. This can help your doctor understand what’s going on.
There are several types of thought logs. Check out this one focusing on dysfunctional thinking or a general anxiety tracker.
You can even make your own by recording:
- the date
- the specific trigger (the situation or physical symptom, such as shortness of breath)
- the automatic thought (what you think will happen due to this physical symptom or situation)
- how strongly you believe this thought (1 to 100 percent)
If you’re experiencing shortness of breath, your automatic thought may be that you must have a serious health condition. At the moment, you may have believed it — almost 100 percent.
However, after challenging this thought now in your recording, you only believe it 20 percent. Recording, reviewing, and challenging these thoughts is an essential way to prevent future anxiety.
You can also use an app to track your anxiety.
Practicing regular meditation may also help you reduce your anxiety. Numerous studies have shown that meditation can reduce anxiety symptoms and help treat anxiety.
You can also practice mindfulness in everyday activities to help you become more aware of your body and what makes you anxious.
Try a mindful eating exercise or a mindful walk around the block.
Finally, consider working with a mental health professional to come up with more strategies. They can help you work out negative thought processes that occur when you’re experiencing anxiety, especially if this anxiety is severe or causing you great distress.
Various forms of psychotherapy may be recommended to ease anxiety and reduce symptoms like shortness of breath, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Certain medications may also be beneficial, including:
- Antidepressants. These medications affect levels of certain neurotransmitters to treat anxiety and depression. They are often used as a long-term solution, as it may take several weeks before you notice any benefits.
- Benzodiazepines. This class of medication includes drugs like Xanax and Valium, which act as a sedative to calm you down when you’re feeling anxious.
However, they are only recommended for short-term use, as they can also cause side effects like drowsiness. - Beta-blockers. Though typically used to treat high blood pressure, beta-blockers like propranolol can also reduce short-term physical symptoms of anxiety.
- Buspirone. This medication is sometimes used to treat anxiety when antidepressants don’t work. Though buspirone is as effective as benzodiazepines and is associated with fewer risks and side effects, it may take 2–4 weeks to take effect.
Shortness of breath and other symptoms of anxiety can mimic other conditions. So, it’s a good idea to monitor your symptoms and get a checkup with your doctor to rule out any other conditions.
Getting a physical to ensure you don’t have any other issues can also alleviate some of your anxiety. For instance, in a panic attack, many people believe they’re having a heart attack. This fear only increases their panic.
Other causes of shortness of breath include:
- exercise
- altitude changes
- tight clothing
- a sedentary lifestyle
Other conditions where you may experience shortness of breath include:
- asthma
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- heart failure or heart attack
- pneumonia
- low blood pressure
- upper airway obstruction
If you experience shortness of breath consistently, or when unconnected to anxiety, see your doctor.
Seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a heart attack, including:
- tightness or pain in the chest, neck, jaw, back, or arms
- fatigue
- lightheadedness, nausea, or vomiting
- discomfort in your arm or shoulder
- sweating more than usual without a logical reason
When is shortness of breath serious?
If shortness of breath is accompanied by other symptoms like pain or discomfort, tightness in the chest, lightheadedness, nausea, or vomiting, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.
You should also talk with a doctor if you have experienced shortness of breath for over 1 month or if other symptoms like persistent coughing or swollen ankles are present, as it could be a sign of a more serious condition.
Is my shortness of breath an anxiety attack or Coronavirus?
Shortness of breath caused by an anxiety attack typically peaks within a few minutes and may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, heart palpitations, and sweating.
On the other hand, shortness of breath caused by COVID-19 lasts for a longer period of time and may be tied to additional symptoms, including fever, dry cough, chills, muscle pain, and a sore throat.
Why do I have shortness of breath and anxiety at night?
Many people experience panic or anxiety attacks at night, which can cause shortness of breath and may occur without any obvious triggers. Similar to daytime anxiety attacks, there’s no known cause, but a variety of factors could contribute, including stress and genetics.
It’s important to remember that anxiety attacks can’t kill you. You won’t suffocate, won’t stop breathing, and won’t die from an anxiety attack. An anxiety or panic attack won’t turn into a heart attack, either.
If you’re worried about your physical health, get checked out. Once you’ve been cleared of any physical reasons for your shortness of breath, hold onto that clean bill of health as a reminder when you’re back in an anxious moment.
See a mental health professional for further help and assistance with coping techniques.
Is My Shortness of Breath from Anxiety?
Anxiety can cause shortness of breath due to changes in heart rate. There are medications, breathing techniques, and mindfulness practices that can help.
Experiencing shortness of breath (dyspnea) or other breathing difficulties can feel scary. But it’s a common symptom of anxiety.
Many people worry that a symptom affecting their breathing must come from a physical issue. In fact, your mental health affects your physical health in a number of ways.
While anxiety can cause shortness of breath and other physical symptoms, it’s important to acknowledge that experiencing shortness of breath for other reasons may also create anxiety.
Here’s what you need to know about this symptom and when to see your doctor.
Anxiety is your body’s natural fear response. This is known as the fight-or-flight response. Your body reacts in physical and mental ways to prepare you to either fight or run from a threatening situation.
Shortness of breath is one of those responses. You may feel like you can’t catch your breath, tightness in your chest, or like you’re suffocating or hungry for air.
Studies have shown a strong association between anxiety and respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath.
Other symptoms that can occur during this response and as a result of anxiety include:
- faster breathing (hyperventilation)
- chest tightness
- breathlessness or a feeling of suffocation
- feeling like you have a lump in your throat
- muscle tension
- heart palpitations (feels like a stronger, faster heartbeat)
- feeling faint, dizzy, or unsteady
- nausea or stomach discomfort
- restlessness, irritability, or feeling on edge
Shortness of breath and other physical symptoms happen in the fight-or-flight response to protect you. With anxiety, you may not be running for your life. But your body still responds as if you are.
You experience chest tightening, shortness of breath, and faster breathing because your body is trying to get more oxygen to your muscles, preparing you to run.
Your heart rate increases and you may feel hot as more blood pumps into your muscles, preparing you to fight.
All of these symptoms are normal body responses designed to save your life.
Of course, you probably aren’t often running or fighting for your life — from wild bear attacks or men with chain saws. But your body still reacts to your trip to the crowded grocery store, your work presentation, and other anxiety-provoking events as if you were.
When you’re experiencing shortness of breath from an anxiety attack, it may seem counterintuitive that your breathing is what you should focus on.
But by focusing on your breathing, you can get it under control and the right amount of oxygen into your lungs.
Experts recommend practicing diaphragmatic breathing. This is a type of breathing technique that uses your diaphragm — the most efficient breathing muscle we have.
When you’re experiencing shortness of breath, you’re generally breathing from your mouth or chest.
But diaphragmatic breathing can:
- slow your breathing rate
- decrease your demand for oxygen
- use less effort and energy to breathe
Here’s how to practice diaphragmatic breathing:
- Sit up comfortably in a chair or lie back on a flat surface, like your bed, with your head supported.
- Place one hand on your upper chest and the other below your rib cage. This will allow you to better feel your diaphragm as you breathe.
- Breathe in slowly through your nose so your stomach moves out against your hand.
- Tighten your stomach muscles. Let them fall inward as you exhale through your nose or your mouth (depending on what’s easier for you).
- Continue to take deep breaths in and out, feeling your stomach rise in and out. Do this for 5 to 10 minutes a day.
Tips: You’re less likely to experience shortness of breath or hyperventilation while breathing in and out through your nose. It’s also normal to get tired or feel like it’s a lot of effort when you first begin this breathing practice.
With more practice, this breathing technique will become automatic and easy.
“The more you can slow down the physical sensations during periods of high anxiety, the more you can use your rational mind to assess what is going on.”
- Elke Zuercher-White in “An End to Panic”
You can also try these anxiety-relieving techniques:
- Grounding techniques. One type of grounding technique (progressive muscle relaxation) involves clenching muscles and slowly releasing them. Focus entirely on these sensations.
- Mindful distractions. Find something to distract your mind from panicking to help you calm down. Try describing things around you to keep your focus on something else. What color is your couch? What is its texture?
- Talk with yourself. Now that you know these symptoms are a part of your body’s automatic response, remind yourself of this. In the moment of panic or anxiety, tell yourself “I can’t breathe because my body is trying to get more oxygen” or “I’ve been evaluated and my heart is fine.
” Talking with yourself rationally can pull you out of the anxiety. - Exercise. It may seem strange to exercise in the midst of an anxiety attack, but going for a quick run or expending some of that built-up energy may actually work for you. Your body is preparing itself to run anyway — you might as well take advantage of it.
- Self-care. You can practice self-care in simple ways. Drink herbal tea (but avoid caffeinated tea, as it can increase anxiety). Light candles with a pleasant aroma. Write down your feelings. Turn on some soothing music.
- Shock yourself. Shocking your system by dipping your face in a bowl of ice water is actually a technique recommended by therapists to help pull you out of a thought spiral.
If you notice shortness of breath before experiencing a full-blown panic attack, learn to recognize it and don’t ignore it. Start focusing on your breathing before the anxiety escalates.
For long-term strategies, consider seeing a mental health professional.
They can evaluate your needs and help teach you coping mechanisms that’ll work for you.
Practicing your breathing daily, other forms of mindfulness, and taking up relaxing yoga may also help.
The main way to prevent shortness of breath and other physical symptoms of anxiety is to practice techniques and learn your triggers when you’re not experiencing them.
You don’t prepare for an earthquake during an earthquake; you prepare beforehand. Anxiety is the same.
One of the most helpful preventive techniques is to maintain a thought log. In a thought log, you write down the automatic thoughts you had in your last moment of anxiety or panic. It’s helpful for discovering triggers as well as helping you reflect on your anxiety in a calmer state.
You can also write down what sensations you’re experiencing while you’re experiencing them. This can help your doctor understand what’s going on.
There are several types of thought logs. Check out this one focusing on dysfunctional thinking or a general anxiety tracker.
You can even make your own by recording:
- the date
- the specific trigger (the situation or physical symptom, such as shortness of breath)
- the automatic thought (what you think will happen due to this physical symptom or situation)
- how strongly you believe this thought (1 to 100 percent)
If you’re experiencing shortness of breath, your automatic thought may be that you must have a serious health condition. At the moment, you may have believed it — almost 100 percent.
However, after challenging this thought now in your recording, you only believe it 20 percent. Recording, reviewing, and challenging these thoughts is an essential way to prevent future anxiety.
You can also use an app to track your anxiety.
Practicing regular meditation may also help you reduce your anxiety. Numerous studies have shown that meditation can reduce anxiety symptoms and help treat anxiety.
You can also practice mindfulness in everyday activities to help you become more aware of your body and what makes you anxious.
Try a mindful eating exercise or a mindful walk around the block.
Finally, consider working with a mental health professional to come up with more strategies. They can help you work out negative thought processes that occur when you’re experiencing anxiety, especially if this anxiety is severe or causing you great distress.
Various forms of psychotherapy may be recommended to ease anxiety and reduce symptoms like shortness of breath, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Certain medications may also be beneficial, including:
- Antidepressants. These medications affect levels of certain neurotransmitters to treat anxiety and depression. They are often used as a long-term solution, as it may take several weeks before you notice any benefits.
- Benzodiazepines. This class of medication includes drugs like Xanax and Valium, which act as a sedative to calm you down when you’re feeling anxious.
However, they are only recommended for short-term use, as they can also cause side effects like drowsiness. - Beta-blockers. Though typically used to treat high blood pressure, beta-blockers like propranolol can also reduce short-term physical symptoms of anxiety.
- Buspirone. This medication is sometimes used to treat anxiety when antidepressants don’t work. Though buspirone is as effective as benzodiazepines and is associated with fewer risks and side effects, it may take 2–4 weeks to take effect.
Shortness of breath and other symptoms of anxiety can mimic other conditions. So, it’s a good idea to monitor your symptoms and get a checkup with your doctor to rule out any other conditions.
Getting a physical to ensure you don’t have any other issues can also alleviate some of your anxiety. For instance, in a panic attack, many people believe they’re having a heart attack. This fear only increases their panic.
Other causes of shortness of breath include:
- exercise
- altitude changes
- tight clothing
- a sedentary lifestyle
Other conditions where you may experience shortness of breath include:
- asthma
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- heart failure or heart attack
- pneumonia
- low blood pressure
- upper airway obstruction
If you experience shortness of breath consistently, or when unconnected to anxiety, see your doctor.
Seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a heart attack, including:
- tightness or pain in the chest, neck, jaw, back, or arms
- fatigue
- lightheadedness, nausea, or vomiting
- discomfort in your arm or shoulder
- sweating more than usual without a logical reason
When is shortness of breath serious?
If shortness of breath is accompanied by other symptoms like pain or discomfort, tightness in the chest, lightheadedness, nausea, or vomiting, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.
You should also talk with a doctor if you have experienced shortness of breath for over 1 month or if other symptoms like persistent coughing or swollen ankles are present, as it could be a sign of a more serious condition.
Is my shortness of breath an anxiety attack or Coronavirus?
Shortness of breath caused by an anxiety attack typically peaks within a few minutes and may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, heart palpitations, and sweating.
On the other hand, shortness of breath caused by COVID-19 lasts for a longer period of time and may be tied to additional symptoms, including fever, dry cough, chills, muscle pain, and a sore throat.
Why do I have shortness of breath and anxiety at night?
Many people experience panic or anxiety attacks at night, which can cause shortness of breath and may occur without any obvious triggers. Similar to daytime anxiety attacks, there’s no known cause, but a variety of factors could contribute, including stress and genetics.
It’s important to remember that anxiety attacks can’t kill you. You won’t suffocate, won’t stop breathing, and won’t die from an anxiety attack. An anxiety or panic attack won’t turn into a heart attack, either.
If you’re worried about your physical health, get checked out. Once you’ve been cleared of any physical reasons for your shortness of breath, hold onto that clean bill of health as a reminder when you’re back in an anxious moment.
See a mental health professional for further help and assistance with coping techniques.
Panic disorder
Panic is a natural reaction of the human psyche and the whole organism to stress, at these moments various protective adaptive functions are mobilized (the release of stimulating substances into the blood, for example, adrenaline, stress hormones), which, in theory, should help to cope with the difficulties encountered. But in those situations where mental activity does not correspond to the norm at least in some way, especially for mood disorders, the presence of increased anxiety in the personality structure as a character trait, instead of just giving strength to solve a difficult situation, an excess of exciting, stimulating substances in the blood creates the very reaction of anxiety or panic, which not only does not help, but becomes itself.
According to the international classification of diseases, panic disorders are classified as neurotic, i.
e. are included in the group of painful conditions that are closely related to external factors, in which painful manifestations occur only in connection with some specific circumstances, while the self-consciousness of the individual does not change, and the distinguishing feature is the awareness of the disease or painful manifestations.
The mechanism of occurrence of panic disorders is quite complex and includes a number of factors. First of all, this is an increase in the content of adrenaline, serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the blood due to the release of these substances by the adrenal glands and some structures of the brain, for example, the so-called. "blue spot". It is the high level of neurotransmitters that is the direct cause that causes anxiety, fear, palpitations, a feeling of lack of air and other unpleasant bodily sensations.
The second important factor in the occurrence of panic disorder is hereditary predisposition. There is evidence of direct transmission of the disease from generation to generation.
The frequency of direct inheritance is approximately 15-17%. And in identical twins, the probability of developing a panic disorder, if one of them has this disease, is 80-90%.
In addition to the above causes of a panic attack, which can be combined as biological theories, there are psychoanalytic and behavioral concepts for the occurrence of such conditions. Psychoanalysts interpret phobias in panic disorders as the fear of a panic attack in a specific and hopeless, from the point of view of the patient, situation. An essential role in psychoanalytic theory is played by the panicked reactions of children to parting with their parents.
Behavioral theories proceed from the fact that anxiety states (including panic disorders) are associated with the interaction of the individual and society. The main significance is attached to the “fixed mistake” of a person who has experienced a panic attack - the assumption that the resulting palpitations, a feeling of suffocation, are harbingers of death from somatic pathology.
Panic disorders typically develop in response to several of the factors described above.
Panic disorder is more common between the ages of 25 and 64, with an incidence 3-4 times higher in women than in men. The prevalence of panic disorders among the general population is from 2 to 5%, i.e. they occur about 2-5 times more often than endogenous diseases (schizophrenia, manic-depressive psychosis)
Panic attack usually occurs:
- against the background of a severe stressful situation (at the height of a conflict, experiencing a catastrophe, loss of a loved one)
- some biological factors (hormonal changes, onset of sexual activity, abortions, taking hormonal drugs)
- factors of external influence on the body (alcohol or drugs, prolonged exposure to the sun, heavy physical exertion).
A panic attack can also occur in the absence of emotional or physical stress in everyday life. The symptoms of a panic attack occur suddenly, the attack usually develops quickly, reaching a maximum in 10 minutes, and its total duration is approximately 20-30 minutes.
A person begins to feel shortness of breath, with shortness of breath, trying to “breathe”, he begins to take intensified breaths, which lead to excessive saturation of blood cells with oxygen, which, in turn, causes a reflex delay in breathing. Thus a vicious circle is created, as the initial feeling of lack of air causes fear, and the reflex holding of the breath becomes doubly frightening. In parallel with this, there is discomfort and pain in the chest, palpitations, pulsation, "fading of the heart." Feelings of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain may occur. As a rule, there is dizziness, sweating, a feeling of chills or heat, discomfort in the body, copious urination or loose stools. Objectively, the complexion may change with redness or pallor, the pulse rate increases, blood pressure rises. Often, during a medical examination, the severity of all these phenomena does not correspond to subjective sensations and experiences that seem catastrophic, "on the verge of life and death.
"
Naturally, such seizures (also called vegetative) causes fear, a sense of catastrophe, fear of death, heart attack, stroke. A person cannot analyze his condition, because. he is overwhelmed with horror, something incredible is happening to him, which he cannot explain to himself. After the experienced crisis, there is a feeling of depression, hopelessness, self-pity. Often, many experience a sensation of a lump in the throat, numbness or weakness in the arms and legs, or, on the contrary, discomfort in the body, a feeling of “turning out” of the limbs. Sometimes these states are accompanied by a feeling of unreality of the environment, some kind of remoteness, as in a dream.
Finding no obvious reason for sudden panic attacks and autonomic crises, many people with panic disorder jump to the conclusion that they have a serious illness, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, brain tumor, or the onset of insanity. It is often difficult to convince them otherwise.
Panic attacks suffered several times give rise to fear of the repetition of these conditions, the so-called.
"anticipation anxiety". Remembering the circumstances of the occurrence of previous attacks, people tend to avoid similar situations, limit themselves in movement, sometimes reaching complete isolation and avoidance of public places, public transport, as a result, such people simply find themselves under house arrest. All movements occur only accompanied by relatives. If the attack first occurred at home, they are afraid to stay at home alone.
Shortness of breath, difficult breathing, tracheostomy care - Vera Hospice Charitable Foundation
Shortness of breath is an unpleasant feeling of shortness of breath, which is often accompanied by anxiety. It should be borne in mind that shortness of breath is a subjective phenomenon, therefore it (like pain) should be assessed on the basis of the patient's description of his state of health.
Some patients with dyspnea on exertion have respiratory panic attacks. During these attacks, patients feel as if they are dying.
At the same time, the fear caused by shortness of breath, as well as a lack of awareness of this condition, cause an increase in anxiety, which in turn increases the frequency of breathing and, as a result, increases shortness of breath.
There are many causes of shortness of breath: it can be provoked directly by the tumor itself, the consequences of cancer, complications from treatment, concomitant diseases, as well as a combination of the above causes. Shortness of breath can be caused both by damage to the lungs, lymph nodes, and by damage to the upper respiratory tract.
If shortness of breath occurs, explain to the patient his condition and encourage him to reduce the feeling of fear and anxiety, and also try to change his lifestyle: make a daily routine so that rest always follows after exertion, if possible, help the patient around the house, with shopping products, etc.
Treatment will depend on the cause of the shortness of breath. The issue of taking medications should be decided on an individual basis by consultation with a doctor, since the number of drugs that relieve or reduce shortness of breath is quite wide (from bronchodilators to morphine).
If the causes of this condition are reversible, then the presence of loved ones, soothing conversation, cool dry air, relaxation therapy, massage, and treatments such as acupuncture (acupressure) can help.
Oxygen can also be beneficial if inhaled a few minutes before and a few minutes after exercise.
When caring for a patient with dyspnea, remain calm and confident, do not leave the patient alone. He needs to create the most comfortable environment - open windows or put a fan nearby, as well as provide an opportunity to easily sound an alarm. The patient should be encouraged to do breathing exercises and teach relaxation techniques.
Proper oral care is also very important, especially if the patient breathes through the mouth. Since in this case the patient feels severe dryness in the mouth, periodically wipe the patient's mouth with a damp swab and apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the lips. If the patient can swallow, give him little to drink or suck on ice.
For tumors in the upper respiratory tract that interfere with breathing, a tracheostomy is performed (opening the trachea and inserting a special tube into its lumen to restore breathing). Tracheostomy care consists of frequent dressing changes and thorough rinsing of the skin around the tracheostomy opening with chlorhexidine. Dressings should be changed every day or more often, several times a day, as they become soiled.
If a lot of mucus and sputum accumulate in the bronchi and trachea, then a thin sterile portable suction catheter is inserted through the tracheostomy and suction (sanitation) is performed. In these cases, it is also useful to create an outflow of sputum by lowering the head end of the patient's bed.
If a tube is changed, the tracheostomy opening is treated with an antiseptic (chlorhexidine). The tube itself can be lubricated with levomekol during replacement (for better glide and for antibacterial action).
Bandage on the tracheostomy opening (padding between the tube and the skin) is done as follows.
