What causes shortness of breath and what can I do about it?
ACS Answer
If the body does not get enough oxygen, you may have trouble breathing. This may happen if the lungs cannot take in enough air or if they cannot deliver enough oxygen to the bloodstream. These problems can be caused by chronic lung disorders, blocked airway, pneumonia, pain, immobility, poor nutrition, obesity, stress or anxiety, surgery, anemia, side effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, tumor, or fluid in the lungs.
What to look for
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing while resting or exercising
- Chest pain
- Breathing becomes faster
- Heart beats faster
- Skin looks pale or blue
- Skin feels cold and clammy
- Nostrils flare when inhaling
- Wheezing
What to do
- Remain calm.
- Elevate head to a 45° angle by raising the bed or using pillows.
- Take medication prescribed for breathing difficulty, such as oxygen or medicine for wheezing.
- If you are not in a lot of distress, check your temperature, pulse, and breathing rate.
- Inhale through your nose and exhale through pursed lips for twice as long as it took to inhale. (This is deep breathing.)
- If there is still no relief after 5 minutes, sit up on the side of the bed, with feet resting on a stool, arms resting on an overbed table or card table with pillows on it, and head tilted slightly forward.
- If coughing and spitting, note the amount of sputum and what it looks and smells like.
Do not
Call the doctor about any of the following symptoms
- If there is difficulty breathing or chest pain
- If there is thick, yellow, green, or bloody sputum
- If skin is pale or bluish or it feels cold and clammy
- If you have a fever
- If nostrils flare during breathing
- If you are wheezing
Related Resources
Find books that cover this and other cancer topics at the American Cancer Society bookstore.
Recommended Consultation
You should consider discussing this question with your doctor or health care team.
