Shortness Of Breath: When To See A Doctor

Feeling like you can't catch your breath? Shortness of breath, also called dyspnea, can be a frustrating and sometimes scary symptom. It can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from simple things like exercise to more serious underlying health conditions.

Zachary Lundy, DO, family medicine physician at Franciscan Physician Network CityWay Family Medicine, explains the different reasons why you might have shortness of breath and when it's important to see a doctor or go to the emergency room.

What Causes Shortness Of Breath?

When you are short of breath, you may feel like you can't get enough air or your chest may feel tight. Sometimes the feeling is worse when you are physically active or when you lie down flat.

You may have other symptoms such as a cough, chest pains or fever.

Shortness of breath may be caused by respiratory viruses. When you catch a respiratory virus, like the flu, COVID or RSV, the virus attacks the cells in your respiratory tract, including your lungs. This can cause inflammation and swelling in the airways, making it harder to breathe.

For some people, the shortness of breath can be severe, especially in people with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems. For others, respiratory viruses can lead to more serious lung infections like pneumonia. It’s important for your doctor to know what is causing your dyspnea.

Other causes of shortness of breath include:

• Asthma
• Blood clots
• COPD
• Chest infections
• Emphysema
• Heart failure
• Lung cancer
• Panic attacks
• Pneumonia

When Should I Call The Doctor For Shortness Of Breath?

“If you check the boxes of congestion, nasal dripping, sore throat, and others in your home are sick and it’s clearly viral, make an appointment with your doctor for shortness of breath,” Dr. Lundy said.

Other people who should be evaluated by a doctor if they are experiencing shortness of breath include:

• Infants under 1 year in age
• People living with asthma or COPD
• Smokers
• People who are immunocompromised
• Seniors

Dr. Lundy cautions not to ride out shortness of breath.

“Listen to your body; you know yourself better,” he said. “If alarm bells are going off, it’s time to get seen.”

What Are Warning Signs With Shortness Of Breath?

“The #1 thing to look for is exertional shortness of breath, like you’re having difficulty taking steps across the room,” Dr. Lundy said.

Red-flag symptoms accompanying shortness of breath include:

• Excessive wheezing
• Sweating
• Chest discomfort
• Radiating pain
• Nausea
• Leg swelling, particularly if after surgery or flying

Should I Go To The ER For Shortness Of Breath?

“If you have those red-flag symptoms like chest pain or discomfort, nausea or vomiting, especially if you have risk factors, go to the emergency department for evaluation,” Dr. Lundy said. “Especially if you have high blood pressure or cholesterol, diabetes or getting vascular care, we don’t want to miss a cardiac event.”

And if at any time your shortness of breath is accompanied by severe symptoms such as confusion, chest or jaw pain, or pain down your arm, call 911 right away.

Can I Prevent Shortness Of Breath During Cold And Flu Season?

Especially if you or household members are high risk of respiratory conditions, Dr. Lundy recommends talking to your doctor about vaccines that protect against some respiratory viruses, including RSV, COVID, flu and pneumonia.

Shortness of breath doesn’t have to be a winter woe. If you’re experiencing unexpected shortness of breath, see a doctor to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.