Breathlessness is more likely to happen when you are:
- physically active (such as going for a walk, climbing stairs, or bending over to lift up the washing)
- have a flare up of your chest condition
- anxious
Breathlessness
Breathlessness is one of the main symptoms that people with a lung condition can experience. It is important that you know what is normal for you, and to take early action if you notice a change.
What causes breathlessness?
What is the impact of being breathless?
Getting breathless can make you feel uncomfortable and even anxious. This means that you may tend to avoid activities that make you feel like this. Anxiety can also make you feel more breathless, which can then worsen symptoms.
Breathlessness on some activities is a normal response, but avoiding these activities can result in you being less active. In turn this results in a loss of your muscle strength which can make you weaker. This weakness means you then have to work harder to do the tasks you used to, which makes you more breathless.
Breathlessness on some activities is a normal response, but avoiding these activities can result in you being less active. In turn this results in a loss of your muscle strength which can make you weaker. This weakness means you then have to work harder to do the tasks you used to, which makes you more breathless.
What can I do to help?
It is important to stay as active as possible, with the image below showing the benefits of regular activity.
There are some simple techniques you can do to help control your breathing better. This includes some breathing techniques, positioning and planning your activities. You can find more information by clicking on the icon below, or by watching the video.
Click on the image for more information