Shortness of breath is often a normal part of living and exercising. Jogging, swimming, climbing stairs, and many other everyday activities can bring on the shortness of breath. Because this condition, in many cases, is normal, people may disregard signs that shortness of breath should be treated at an emergency room or hospital.
In addition to everyday activities, many medical conditions can cause shortness of breath and should be evaluated by medical professionals. Some of these are serious, and some, such as an asthma attack, can be life-threatening. Even if you think your condition is not serious, any time you experience the following symptoms, you should visit an emergency room immediately.
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- If the difficulty breathing is acute or severe even when lying down. If this occurs, you should call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room. This is especially true if you suspect some conditions may be the cause such as asthma, angina, or other severe illness. Don’t drive yourself as there is always the danger of dizziness or fainting while behind the wheel which could cause an accident.
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- If, in addition to the breathing difficulties, you also have nausea, chest pains, or fainting spells. Then you should call 911 or have someone drive you to the emergency room. These symptoms may indicate a severe underlying condition that should be treated immediately.
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- If the shortness of breath interferes with your daily life routines or work, then you should immediately visit an emergency room.
Because so many different conditions can cause shortness of breath, a physician should assess your physical symptoms. A visit to an emergency room such as one of the Emergency Hospital System’s four community ERs is quick and easy. EHS facilities are located close by in Cleveland (2), Spring, and Humble, and there’s plenty of free, close-in parking, and walk-ins are welcome. Our wait times are short, and our professional staff is here to help with all your medical needs.
Difficulty breathing can be caused by any one of many underlying medical problems. A partial list is below. If you have any of these diseases, be on the alert for difficulties breathing. Should any breathing issues arise, visit an emergency room immediately.
Causes of acute breathing difficulties include:
- Asthma
- Allergies
- COPD
- Heart attack
- Low blood pressure
- Pneumonia
- Heart diseases such as enlarged heart or irregular heartbeats
- Heart failure, and
- Cancer and tuberculosis
These and other causes may be at the source of breathing difficulties, so immediate medical attention is needed to ensure the condition is properly diagnosed and treated. For shortness of breath or any other medical issues, stop by one of Emergency Hospital System’s four community emergency rooms. We are open 24/7/365 for your round-the-clock medical needs and are here to serve you. Feel free to stop in or phone for an appointment, 281-592-5400.