$Unique_ID{BRK02403}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What Can Be Done About Shortness of Breath?}
$Subject{short breath huffing puffing shortness cardiopulmonary reserves heart
lungs oxygen dyspnea breathing pulmonary respiratory system lung breathe
dyspneal dyspneic}
$Volume{H-5}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1992,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Can Be Done About Shortness of Breath?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  Though most guys my age complain about stiffness in their legs, my
reason for not getting about is that I get so short of breath.  It seemed to
creep up on me gradually, and at first I thought it was simply because I was
out of shape.  Now even my wife is commenting about my huffing and puffing,
and I guess I better do something about it.  What do you think my problem is
and do you have any advice that may put me back on the right path?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  In many cases, shortness of breath may be a simple case of lack of
exercise, resulting in low cardiopulmonary reserves.  That means that both
your heart and lungs can't get up to speed in providing the oxygen your
muscles need for their activity.  It is one possibility in your case, but not
one that I can safely diagnose for you without knowing a lot more about you.
The other, more important causes for shortness of breath (doctor's call it
"dyspnea"), relate to conditions of the heart and lung.  An ailing heart can
lead to congestive heart failure, and that causes difficulty in breathing.
Lung disease such as emphysema, obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic
bronchitis, undetected pneumonia, and tumors may all lead to the same symptom
or complaint.  They are all too serious to depend on mere impressions and
require some immediate medical attention.
     Your own physician is going to have to do a bit of work as well, to
determine an accurate diagnosis leading to corrective therapy.  At the very
least, in addition to a thorough history and physical, expect to have a chest
x-ray, cardiogram and a variety of blood tests taken to help evaluate your
condition.  Pulmonary function tests that reveal the ability of your lung to
perform its duties may also be required.
     The results of all these tests will help make the diagnosis and indicate
the correct therapy.  Following through on your doctor's recommendations will
put you back on the path you desire.  It may well be that exercise will form
part of the plan, restoring the ability of both heart and lungs to respond to
the needs generated by activity.  It is all there for you, but you must get
medical attention now.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.