I Have Shortness of Breath That Won't Go Away
Shortness of breath can be worrying. Here is a look at possible causes.
Persistent shortness of breath is almost always from a heart or lung condition, not head and neck cancer. But when it relates to the head and neck, there are a few possibilities.
- Most common causes (heart/lungs):
- Asthma
- COPD (chronic lung disease)
- Heart failure
- Anemia
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Deconditioning (being out of shape)
- Head and neck related causes:
- Vocal cord paralysis β one or both vocal cords do not open properly, restricting airflow
- Enlarged thyroid (goiter) β can press on the trachea (windpipe) and cause breathing difficulty
- Laryngeal or tracheal tumor β rare, but can obstruct the airway
- Obstructive sleep apnea β causes breathlessness at night and daytime fatigue
What to Look For
- Usually not serious:
- Shortness of breath with anxiety or panic
- Only happens with exertion
- Comes and goes
- Improves with treating asthma or allergies
- Worth having checked:
- Shortness of breath that is getting worse
- Noisy breathing (stridor) β a high-pitched sound when breathing in
- Feeling like you cannot get enough air even at rest
- Blue lips or fingertips
- Chest pain or tightness
- Unexplained weight loss
When to See a Doctor
- See a doctor urgently if:
- You have sudden or worsening shortness of breath
- You have noisy breathing (stridor)
- You have chest pain
- Your lips or fingertips look blue
- You cannot lie flat because of breathing difficulty