Each year, between 25% and 50% of people in the U.S. see a doctor for shortness of breath. You may have felt it, too -- the uncomfortable feeling you get when you can't seem to get enough air. It’s a common symptom, and one that's usually harmless -- the result of a tough workout or a stressful day. But it can also be a sign that you have another health problem, such as
anxiety, a lung infection like pneumonia, asthma, or heart disease. How do you find out what’s going on? Your doctor can do some basic tests to help you get to the bottom of
your shortness of breath. If shortness of breath keeps you from doing your regular daily activities, that’s reason enough to call the doctor. But definitely schedule an appointment if you have trouble breathing along with any of these symptoms: At your appointment, your doctor will ask a few questions about your medical history and do a physical exam. This might include listening to your heart and lungs for signs of congestion, murmur, or anything else unusual. The results of the exam may lead them to
order a few tests to help figure out what else might be causing your breathing problems. Chest X-ray. It can show the doctor signs of conditions such as pneumonia or other heart and lung problems. It’s painless and easy -- a radiology technologist can do one in about 15 minutes. Oxygen test. Also called pulse oximetry,
this helps your doctor measure how much oxygen is in your blood. They’ll place a clothespin-like sensor on your finger, which uses light to detect oxygen. Other than the pressure of the sensor, you won’t feel anything. Electrocardiography (EKG). You might get this test in your doctor’s office or a hospital. A technician will attach small electrodes to your chest with gel or tape, and a machine will measure the electrical impulses that make your heart beat. An EKG can show
your doctor if blood flow to the heart is impaired. Lung function test. This measures how well your lungs work and lets your doctor know if something is blocking or keeping them from using air properly. It can also show how well your lungs can transport and use oxygen. One type of lung function test is called spirometry. You breathe into a mouthpiece that connects to a machine and measures your lung capacity and air flow. Your doctor may also have you stand in a box that looks like a telephone booth to check your lung capacity. This is called plethysmography. Each of these tests helps your doctor diagnose problems such as asthma, emphysema, or COPD. Blood test. A doctor or nurse will use a needle to take blood from a vein in your arm and send it to a lab for tests. The results can tell them whether or not conditions such as anemia or heart failure are making you short of breath. If your shortness of breath is severe or comes with other symptoms such as confusion, chest pain, jaw pain, or pain down your arm, call 911 right away. Blood oxygen level is the amount of oxygen circulating in the blood. Red blood cells carry most of the oxygen, collecting it from the lungs and delivering it to all parts of the body. The body closely monitors blood oxygen levels to keep them within a specific range so that there is enough oxygen for the needs of every cell. A person’s blood oxygen level indicates how well the body distributes oxygen from the lungs to the cells, and it can be important for people’s health. A healthy blood oxygen level varies between 75 and 100 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). When arterial blood gas (ABG) test results reveal an oxygen level below 60 mm Hg, the medical community considers it low. In some cases, people with these results may require oxygen supplementation. A blood oxygen level that is too low compared with the average level of a healthy person can be a sign of a condition known as hypoxemia. This develops when the body has difficulty delivering oxygen to all of its cells, tissues, and organs. Oxygen saturation refers to the percentage of oxygen in a person’s blood. Medical professionals often use a device called a pulse oximeter for either a quick test or continuous monitoring. The device can attach to the person’s fingertip. A healthy oxygen saturation level ranges between 95% and 100%. If a person’s levels drop below this range, they may experience symptoms associated with a lack of oxygen, such as trouble breathing and confusion. An ABG test is a common way to monitor blood oxygen levels. This test involves taking a blood sample from an artery, usually in the wrist. This procedure is very accurate, but it can be a little painful. Doctors carry out ABG tests in a hospital. However, people can test themselves at home using a small device known as a pulse oximeter. A person cannot perform an ABG test at home. A pulse oximeter is a small clip that often attaches to a finger, although it will also work on an ear or a toe. It measures blood oxygen indirectly by light absorption through a person’s pulse. Although the pulse oximeter test is easier, quicker, and less painful than the ABG test, it is not as accurate. Several factors can interfere with the results, including:
Learn how to choose the best pulse oximeter to purchase. People should contact a doctor if they:
The treatment options for low blood oxygen levels include supplemental oxygen. Doctors can administer oxygen therapy in an office, or they can prescribe or recommend the use of home oxygen therapy (HOT). A range of devices is available for delivering and monitoring HOT, but some require a prescription. People can make lifestyle adjustments to reduce the symptoms of low oxygen levels, as well as improve their general health and quality of life. Changes that will likely be beneficial include:
Learn more about following a well-balanced diet. Many conditions can cause low blood oxygen levels. Treating the underlying condition responsible will generally improve blood oxygen levels. People living with chronic lung diseases, such as COPD, and those who catch COVID-19 may need regular blood oxygen monitoring. People with low blood oxygen can also make lifestyle changes, such as adjusting their dietary and exercise habits. In conjunction with oxygen therapy, these changes could help a person raise their oxygen saturation levels. A person’s blood oxygen level refers to the amount of oxygen circulating in their blood. A person can measure blood oxygen levels using a pulse oximeter. On a pulse oximeter, doctors consider levels under 95% to be low. Several conditions can cause low blood oxygen levels, including asthma, anemia, and COVID-19. The treatment will often involve addressing the underlying cause, but doctors may sometimes also recommend oxygen therapy or lifestyle modifications. Read the article in Spanish. Can you have normal oxygen levels and still be short of breath?Finding the cause of shortness of breath
A person may have dyspnea even though the actual levels of oxygen are within a normal range. It is important to understand that people do not suffocate or die from dyspnea. But tell your health care team right away if you have any of these symptoms or if they get worse.
Why do I feel short of breath when my oxygen saturation is good?Shortness of breath does not always indicate that you are hypoxic. In other words, your level of dyspnea, or air hunger, does not always correlate with your oxygen saturation. This means that you can be short of breath, even extremely short of breath, even in the presence of normal oxygen saturation.
How do I know if my shortness of breath is lung related?Tests to Diagnose Shortness of Breath. Chest X-ray. It can show the doctor signs of conditions such as pneumonia or other heart and lung problems. ... . Oxygen test. Also called pulse oximetry, this helps your doctor measure how much oxygen is in your blood. ... . Electrocardiography (EKG).. How do I know if my shortness of breath is serious?Seek emergency medical care if your shortness of breath is accompanied by chest pain, fainting, nausea, a bluish tinge to lips or nails, or a change in mental alertness — as these may be signs of a heart attack or pulmonary embolism.
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What causes shortness of breath with normal oxygen levels
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