Ever feel as though you cannot catch your breath? That heavy feeling that leaves you wondering if you overdid it or if something is wrong? Alla Yugay, MD, Pulmonologist at South Central Pulmonary Medicine, clarifies what is normal and what is not for shortness of breath, including when it is time to be seen by a pulmonologist.

What Does Shortness of Breath Feel Like?

Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, is difficulty breathing when resting or performing daily life activities. Shortness of breath is commonly associated with symptoms of chest tightness, cough, fatigue and anxiety, as well as a possible chest pain.

“Most common reasons for shortness of breath are lung and heart conditions, physical deconditioning and anxiety”, Dr. Yugay says. Hence, most commonly people with shortness of breath are referred to those specialties.

What Causes Shortness of Breath

Many lung conditions can be associated with shortness of breath.

• Asthma. Reversible inflammation and constriction in the airway (bronchi) that makes both inhaling and exhaling difficult.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). Irreversible obstruction of the airway (bronchi) that makes exhalation difficult.
• Interstitial lung disease. Damage such as fibrosis and scarring of the lung tissue

“Typically, people start to feel short of breath in their 50s, as changes take time to progress. When we’re young, we can make up for reduced lung function with our physical state,” Dr. Yugay says. “In certain cases, like asthma, or early onset cardiac diseases, genetics may play a role.”

How to tell if Shortness of Breath is from Anxiety

Shortness of breath is a common symptom of anxiety. This is a normal reaction of the body.

“If people notice shortness of breath while feeling anxious, they should try to find the cause for anxiety, get out of the situation and calm themselves down. Symptoms can progress to a panic attack. So, if things don’t improve, it’s best to seek medical attention,” Dr. Yugay says.

Shortness of Breath from COVID-19

Shortness of breath is also one of the symptoms experienced by those who contract COVID-19. Dr. Yugay says your experience with this symptom could vary depending on the severity of the viral infection.

“Shortness of breath can be barely noticeable to very severe. The symptoms could start with a mild cough and shortness of breath on exertion or exercise, and then it progresses to be shortness of breath while at rest,” Dr. Yugay says.

Shortness of breath with COVID-19 begins because of the viral inflammation in the body, which can damage the lungs. That can lead to pneumonia. Dr. Yugay says, unfortunately, the COVID19 disease can worsen quickly causing hospitalization.

If you’re experiencing shortness of breath from COVID-19, contact your care team to determine the best approach for your care.

Shortness of Breath with Exercise

If you’re just finishing a hard workout, feeling short of breath isn’t abnormal. But, if you feel like you have regular shortness of breath with light exercise, Dr. Yugay suggests keeping this in mind.

“An important factor when working out is the overall conditioning shape of the body. Slowly building in intensity during your workouts should help with feeling less winded,” Dr. Yugay says.

However, there are some symptoms that aren’t normally associated with exercise and shouldn’t be ignored. See a doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Paleness
• Dizziness or sinking sensation
• Fatigue
• Fainting

Shortness of Breath Treatment

If shortness of breath is an isolated event, you can try these methods to feel better at home:

• If associated with a cough or congestion, try using steam or over-the-counter decongestants to relieve feeling short of breath.
• If wheezing, use an inhaler with your provider’s approval.

“If shortness of breath continues for a couple of hours, doesn’t get better or comes back, it’s always safest to seek medical attention,” Dr. Yugay says.

Every person is different, and treatment options differ with disease causes. Having an accurate diagnosis by a pulmonary specialist is key to fully managing shortness of breath.

“Consult your medical provider as soon as possible to get a diagnosis and treatment plan. The sooner the diagnosis, the simpler the treatment can be. Waiting too long can make the disease progress and get more complex,” Dr. Yugay says.

Dr. Yugay completed her medical degree from I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University. Following completion of medical school, Dr. Yugay served as an Internal Medicine Intern at Nassau University Medical Center in New York. She then completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Bronx Care Health System and served as Internal Medicine Chief Resident. After completing residency, Dr. Yugay completed a Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship at Bronx Care Health System in New York. Dr. Yugay joined the South Central Health System in September 2022.

Dr. Yugay is based at South Central Pulmonary Medicine in Laurel. The clinic is located at 1203 Jefferson Street in Laurel. South Central Pulmonary Medicine accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurance plans. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Yugay, call 601-649-2863. For more information about the practice, visit scrmc.com.