Cause: Any of more than 200 contagious viruses most common is rhinovirus with more than 100 distinct types! Rhinoviruses thrive at 91☏, which is the same temperature as the inside of the nose.

The common cold: A wet cough with a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, low-grade fever (below 101.5☏), and postnasal drip (mucus running down the back of the throat).If you have any medication for breathing problems, such as puffers, use them as directed by your pharmacist or doctor. Call 13 78 48 or go to the Quitline website. If you have any breathing problems, and you smoke you should quit. medicines, including tablets and puffers.If you see a doctor, the tests you might have include: The type of treatment you need depends on how unwell you feel, how suddenly it has come on and what other conditions you might have.

If the problem is a panic attack, you might also have a fast heartbeat, sweating and shaking, nausea, dizziness and a sense of impending doom or danger.ĬHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS - Use the breathing problems Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help. If the problem is asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you might also have a lot of mucous, a wheezing sound when you breathe, and your symptoms might get worse with exercise or during the night. If you have been diagnosed with angina, take your medication as directed. If the problem is to do with your heart, you might also have chest pain, feel light-headed and nauseous. If your breathing problems are caused by a cold or chest infection, you might also have a cough, fever, sore throat, sneezing, blocked or runny nose and general congestion. Some people feel short of breath long term.

a blockage from a clot in one of the blood vessels in the lung ( pulmonary embolism).

Other causes of suddenly feeling short of breath are:

infections in the airways, such as croup, bronchitis, pneumonia, COVID-19, the flu and even a cold.

heart problems, such as a cardiovascular disease and heart failure.

lung problems, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

What causes breathing problems?Ĭommon causes of feeling short of breath are: Take 4 more puffs every 4 minutes until help arrives. If you have asthma, take 4 puffs of your blue or grey reliever puffer. Sit upright and make sure you have someone with you if possible. What should I do while waiting for an ambulance?

have to put a lot of effort into breathing.

feel more short of breath when you lie down.

Make an appointment to see your doctor or consider going to an emergency department if, as well as being out of breath, you:

you also have pains in your chest, arm or jaw.

you are so short of breath you can’t speak in sentences.

You should call triple zero (000) for an ambulance if: When should I call an ambulance or go to the emergency department? If you have breathing problems for any other reason, it is probably the sign of a medical problem. It can also happen in extreme temperatures or if you are at high altitude. You might feel short of breath if you are obese or if you have just done some strenuous exercise. What are breathing problems?īreathing problems are when you feel you can’t get enough air, your chest feels very tight, you are breathless or you feel like you’re being suffocated. Even if your symptoms are mild, get tested for COVID-19 immediately - use the breathing problems Symptom Checker if you're not sure what to do. Breathing problems are one of the symptoms of COVID-19.

Chest feels congested but not sick