Breathlessness can be sudden or chronic, and the underlying cause can lie in the lungs, heart, blood, muscles, or even the brain. Let’s explore every major category.
1. Respiratory Causes (Lung-related):
When the lungs can’t get enough oxygen in or push enough carbon dioxide out, breathlessness occurs.
Asthma – causes sudden wheezing, tight chest, and difficulty breathing during attacks.
COPD (Chronic Bronchitis/Emphysema) – chronic progressive breathlessness, especially with exertion.
Pneumonia – infection fills alveoli with fluid, making breathing hard and oxygen levels drop.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis – chronic breathlessness due to lung tissue destruction.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) – sudden breathlessness due to a blood clot in the lungs.
Pneumothorax – air leakage collapses lung; causes sharp pain and rapid breathing.
Pleural Effusion – fluid around lungs prevents full expansion.
