What are breathing problems?
Breathing problems occur when the body is unable to get the oxygen it needs. They occur as a result of a stuffy nose or from physical exercise. However, in some cases they are symptoms of a serious illness. Some types can be:
- Lung problems, such as asthma, emphysema or pneumonia.
- Problems in the trachea and bronchi.
- Heart disease that makes it difficult to pump oxygen to the body.
- Anxiety or panic attacks.
- allergies
Prognosis of the disease
When the acute phase is treated, the prognosis will depend on the general condition of the airways and the source of the problem.
Symptoms of respiratory problems
Symptoms will depend on whether the disease is acute or severe. The most common symptoms in acute illnesses, such as colds and flus, are:
- Inflammation of the tonsils
- Yellow mucus and phlegm
- Chest pain on exertion
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Hoarseness
- Ear pain
- Fever
In cases where respiratory diseases are more severe, the following symptoms may appear:
- Chest and back pain without exertion.
- Yellowish phlegm with blood
- Shortness of breath
- Tachycardia
- Very high fever
- Hearing a whistling sound when breathing
Prevention is the best way to protect yourself from these illnesses.
Medical tests for breathing problems
Depending on the type of pathology, medical tests may vary. The most common medical tests are listed below:
- Bronchoscopy
- Respiratory distress
- Spirometry
- Arterial blood gases
- Pulmonary function tests
- Chest X-ray
- CT SCAN
What are the causes of respiratory problems?
Respiratory diseases can be caused by various elements, among the most common are:
- Bacterial infections
- Viral infections
- Environmental causes
- Smoking
- Allergies
- Sudden temperature changes
Can it be prevented?
Respiratory diseases can be prevented with good personal and home hygiene. In addition, sport always has health benefits, especially cardiovascular exercises, which improve respiratory capacity among many other advantages.
Treatments for respiratory problems
Depending on the type of infection there may be a specific treatment, so it is always important to consult with a specialist before taking specific measures. Prevention is the best way to protect yourself from these diseases.
Which specialist treats you?
The specialist who treats these pathologies is the expert in Internal Medicine for adults and a specialist in Pediatrics for children.