What does it mean to be short of breath?

Ah, the feeling of gasping for air. We’ve all been there, especially after a hot and heavy session on the treadmill or during a breakup conversation with your significant other.

But what does it really mean when we’re “short of breath”? Is it just a fancy way of saying we need to catch our breath? Or is there something more sinister at play?

Breaking Down ‘Shortness of Breath’

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s first define what exactly shortness of breath means. According to actual medical professionals (yes, they actually exist), shortness of breath refers to the sensation that you can’t breathe deeply enough or get enough air into your lungs.

It’s typically accompanied by feelings like wheezing, tightness in your chest and/or throat, and an overall sense of panic that makes you wonder if really need those cigarettes.

Causes Behind Shortness Of Breath

So now you know what shortness of breath feels like – but why does it happen? Here are some common reasons:

  • Asthma
  • Pneumonia
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Heart disease
  • Anxiety
  • Being both thirsty AND hungry at the same time

Of course (you didn’t think I was done did you?), this list could go on forever…but these are some examples for starters.

How Long Should My Shorts Be When Feeling Out Of Breathe?

Oh sorry about that – wrong ‘shorts’. But back on track!

In most cases,(I’m ignoring my Uncle Joe who constantly tells me his various health problems sheesh!), occasional bouts with shortness of breath are nothing serious; red flags might be raised however IF:

  1. You experience sudden severe symptoms (for example in combination with pain in arm/back/jaw)
  2. You’ve been gasping for air irregularly every day for over a week
  3. It’s hard to breathe and the cause unsure/unknown

The Takeaway

Real talk: if you’re experiencing severe or prolonged shortness of breath, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

On the other hand (see what I did there?), if you simply find yourself feeling out of breath after an intense workout (congrats btw!), then slow down and try to catch your breath. Also spend some time recovering by:

  • Drinking water
  • Sitting down (no-one can really see how tired that makes us feel)
  • Breathing deeply until symptoms subside

And don’t get too excited about post-workout reward/punishment meals; food-induced euphoria quickly leaves when followed by another session on the treadmill!

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