Labored or distressed breathing encompasses changes in the rate and depth of breathing, as well as a sensation of breathlessness. It is normal to experience some degree of breathlessness following exercise, particularly for individuals who are unfit or overweight. However, breathlessness at rest is always considered abnormal and is typically indicative of disorders affecting the airways, lungs, or cardiovascular system. Severe anxiety can also result in breathlessness, even when lung function is normal. Damage to the breathing center in the brainstem due to a stroke or head injury can significantly impact breathing. Furthermore, certain medications may have the side effect of affecting breathing. In some cases, ventilator assistance becomes necessary to support breathing.
At high altitudes, the lungs must exert extra effort to adequately supply the body with oxygen, which can result in breathlessness. Severe anaemia, characterized by abnormal or low levels of the oxygen-carrying pigment called haemoglobin, can also lead to breathlessness as the lungs work harder to provide the body with sufficient oxygen. Breathing difficulty that worsens with exertion may arise from diminished blood circulation in the lungs. This can be attributed to conditions such as heart failure (reduced pumping efficiency of the heart), pulmonary embolism (obstruction of lung blood vessels by blood clots), or pulmonary hypertension (elevated pressure in the arteries of the lungs).
Breathing difficulty resulting from obstruction of airflow can stem from various causes, including chronic bronchitis, asthma, allergic reactions, or lung cancer. Inefficient transfer of oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream can also contribute to breathing difficulties. Temporary damage to lung tissue may occur due to conditions such as pneumonia, pneumothorax (collapsed lung), pulmonary edema (accumulation of fluid in the lung), or pleural effusion (accumulation of fluid around the lung). On the other hand, permanent lung damage may result from emphysema, a condition characterized by the destruction of the small air sacs in the lungs.
Chest pain resulting from conditions such as a broken rib can impede normal breathing and cause discomfort, particularly when the chest or lungs are in motion. Similarly, pleurisy, characterized by inflammation of the membrane lining the lungs and chest cavity, can lead to painful and challenging breathing. Pleurisy typically manifests as pain in the lower chest region, often extending to the shoulder tip on the affected side.
Abnormalities in the skeletal structure of the chest, such as severe scoliosis or kyphosis, can pose challenges in breathing by restricting the normal movements of the ribcage. These conditions may impair the ability of the ribcage to expand and contract effectively, leading to difficulties in breathing.