Dyspnea -Symptoms, Causes & Best 10 Homeopathic Treatment

Dyspnea is a sensation, a symptom, a complaint that the patient experience, the patient not able to breathe enough air or must breathe too much, or it can be a simple abnormal, uncomfortable feeling during breathing.

Exertional dyspnea is common shortness of breath that occurs during exercise or overwork by the body.

It is the most common symptom of patients with pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases and diseases related to pulmonary circulation.

As dyspnea during exercise precedes dyspnea at rest, exercise testing can detect cardiovascular and lung disease at an earlier stage if the patient is examined during exercise.

Types of dyspnea

Acute onset dyspnea

In this condition the patient is experiencing dyspnea that comes on suddenly for no apparent reason or is very intense, they may require medical care.

Chronic Dyspnea

It is when there is an underlying medical condition like systemic conditions, pulmonary disorders, and cardiovascular disorders. It is experienced by the patient for more than four weeks.

Orthopnea

In orthopnea, dyspnea occurs when the patient lies down as in the case of heart failure, asthma, and chronic obstructive diseases of the lungs.

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea

In Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, there is shortness of breath that occurs at night, and it is also commonly seen in patients with heart failure.

Exertional Dyspnea

Dyspnea that occurs due to excess exercise, or overdoing of exercise, there is shortness of breath on extra walking and running or jogging or due to gym workout.

Dyspnea Causes 

Following conditions can cause dyspnea on exertion

Overdoing Exercise:-

Some individuals may experience breathlessness or shortness of breath during exercise because they are not accustomed to that excess of exercise.

Sometimes they may be exercising in conditions that can affect breathlessness, such as higher altitudes or warmer climates that precipitate dyspnea due to reduced oxygen levels.

Respiratory conditions:-

Respiratory conditions are a common cause of dyspnea on exertion. Common respiratory causes include:

• Asthma
• acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders(COPD)
• Pulmonary disorders
• Lung cancer
• Pulmonary embolism
• Pneumothoraxox, or a collapsed lung
• Tuberculosis
• Pleurisy
• Croup
• Sarcoidosis abnormal growths

Cardiovascular conditions

As the cardiovascular system plays a role in the respiration process, several cardiac conditions are associated with dyspnea on exertion. These include:

• Acute coronary syndrome
• Congestive heart failure
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• pericardial tamponade
• intracardiac shunting
• valvular heart defect
• pulmonary hypertension
• hypotension

Systemic conditions

There are several systemic conditions, which affect the whole body and can lead to dyspnea on exertion.

These conditions include:

• anemia

• angioedema

• acute renal failure

• anaphylaxis

• obesity

• epiglottitis

• liver cirrhosis

• metabolic acidosis

• sepsis

• thyrotoxicosis

Dyspnea Symptoms

Dyspnea can occur due to overexertion, spending time at a high altitude, or as a symptom of a range of conditions. Dyspnea is a harmless condition that mostly gets better when a person takes rest.

However, if an individual is experiencing dyspnea that comes on suddenly for no apparent reason or is very intense, they may require medical care.

The signs and symptoms of dyspnea that a person is experiencing dyspnea include:

• coughing
• heart palpitations
• feeling smothered or suffocated as a result of breathing difficulties
• labored breathing
• rapid, shallow breathing
• shortness of breath after exertion or due to a medical condition
• tightness in the chest
• wheezing

Complications of dyspnea

1)Dizziness and anxiety:-

Dyspnea on exertion can also lead to following complications like

• uncomfortable or difficult breathing
• dizziness
• chest tightness
• a sensation of suffocating or gasping or gulping for air
• anxiety and fear
•  experience dyspnea of varying intensities and durations. When dyspnea occurs during exertion, it typically improves upon rest. As dyspnea is a sensation, each person may experience it differently.

2)Chronic fatigue:-

 Dyspnea causes fatigue and weakness in individuals and thus they feel low all the time and are afraid of movement, this affects their day-to-day life at work and home.

3)Emergency care:-

One should also seek emergency care if the following symptoms accompany dyspnea upon exertion:

• Increased nausea
• At times loss of consciousness or unexplained sleepiness
• Severe chest pressure is experienced by the patient
• If there is a high temperature or chills
• If there is an irregular heartbeat
• The patient has a severe or worsening  cough with or without mucus
• The presence of cyanosis, is bluish or discolored skin, starting at the lips and fingertips
• The patient has increased urinary frequency at night
• There is swelling in the abdomen, legs, ankles, or feet
• unexplained exhaustion feels weak and fatigued
• There is blood when coughing
• Mouth soreness with swelling of the tongue, lips, mouth, or throat
• One can observe swelling with a rash in such cases and report to the doctor immediately
• bruising more easily than usual
• pale or yellowish skin
• Dizziness should be immediately reported to the doctor
• Coldness of hands and feet is alarming
• Confusion of thinking, cannot decide on anything
• weakness
• chronic lack of appetite does not like to eat anything
• unexplained loss of weight
• unexplained skin itching
• decreased urination, painful micturition
• severe sore throat and trouble swallowing

At times there are abnormal, high-pitched breathing sounds that are heard

Risk Factors For dyspnea

The sensation of dyspnea upon exertion occurs due to signal interactions between the:

• central nervous system (CNS)
• peripheral chemoreceptors
• mechanoreceptors in the chest wall and respiratory tract, the balance in these three mechanisms helps in normal breathing any imbalance in co-ordination leads to dyspnea and breathlessness.

Simple exertional activities:-

As some people will experience dyspnea during intense exercise or exertion, others may develop it from simple activities that can be termed as risk factors, like:-

• walking
• going up steps by stairs
• sitting still
• jogging

So these are the risk factors that can trigger dyspnea, one needs to understand the triggers and protect oneself from overdoing it.

Environmental irritants:

Chemical irritants can act as triggering factors for dyspnea they include:

• air pollution in cities
• chemical fumes related to occupation or residing near a chemical factory
• dust of sand
• smoke from factory or wood-burning
• pollen during the autumn season, and at high altitudes
• Tobacco smoke
• mold spores

Diagnosis of dyspnea

Doctors will usually make a diagnosis of dyspnea with a medical history, occupational history, and physical exam, and observation of the patient’s breathing pattern often leads to the correct diagnosis.

However, in a few cases, more diagnostic studies are needed, including biomarker measurements and a few ancillary tests.

The term dyspnea refers to a wide variety of subjective impacts on the patient some of which can be influenced by the patient’s emotional state.

A distinction is there to differentiate between dyspnea of acute onset, which occurs suddenly and needs immediate medical attention, and chronic dyspnea which has been present for more than four weeks and some underlying medical condition is also present along with it.

The diagnosis can be more difficult to establish when more than one underlying disease is present simultaneously along with dyspnea.

As mentioned earlier the causes of dyspnea include cardiac and pulmonary diseases like-congestive heart failure, acute coronary syndrome; pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and many other conditions like anemia, and mental disorders.

Dyspnea Management

Treatments that target systemic causes of dyspnea on exertion are listed below based on the systemic cause and environmental cause, they include :

Treatment for Respiratory conditions:-

Healthcare professionals will treat each case of dyspnea on exertion differently depending on its cause.

Common treatment options for respiratory causes include:

• using inhalers, such as antimuscarinics, corticosteroids, and short- or long-acting bronchodilator inhalers may give relief
• supplemental oxygen therapy as recommended by a doctor
• A doctor may advise chemotherapy or radiation therapy, at times surgery to remove cancerous lung sections, tumors, or abnormal growths
• Surgery can be recommended to repair a collapsed lung, a hiatal hernia, pleurisy, pneumothorax, or a pulmonary embolism
• An antibiotic treatment course can be recommended if any respiratory infection is present
• rest and fluid therapy whenever required
• emergency procedures to remove inhaled objects

• thoracentesis is a procedure to remove excess fluid from the lungs as in pneumothorax

Treatment for Cardiovascular conditions:-

Common treatment options for cardiovascular causes of dyspnea on exertion include:

• aspirin medication can be given according to the case
• Statins can be advised
• use of beta-blockers for persistent hypertension
• angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• heparin and other medicines can be given
• diuretic medications depending on the case
• surgery to place shunts, correct defects, or repair damage in the heart valves
• angioplasty can be advised wherever needed
• Use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or left ventricular assist device (LVAD)in people with heart conditions
• surgery for implanting pacemakers into the heart

Treatment for dyspnea due to environmental irritants:-

The treatment for dyspnea on exertion that occurs from chemical or environmental irritants depends on the specific cause, but common treatment includes:-

• One should stop smoking or avoid exposure to tobacco smoke
• A doctor may advise wearing protective covering and breathing devices when exposed to chemical fumes
• One should be avoiding going outside or to places where pollution, dust, pollen, or smoke levels are high
• spending as little time outside as possible when mold spores are in the air at high altitudes

Lifestyle and home remedies

Simple lifestyle changes often provide relief from the frequency of recurrence doctor may also recommend making changes to everyday habits, like:

• One should start taking iron,   vitamin B12, folic acid, and vitamin C supplements
• One should aim at reaching or maintaining a moderate body weight
• One should avoid or limit alcohol intake if intake is in excess
• One needs to manage sugar levels in case of diabetes or metabolic syndrome properly if suffering from these conditions.
• One should eat a healthful, balanced diet, including dietary sources of iron, like dark leafy green vegetables, beans and pulses, and dried fruits.

Best Homeopathic Medicines for dyspnea

1. ARSENICUM ALBUM-For dyspnea with great weakness

Symptoms

This is a great remedy especially when the patient is anxious, is a perfectionist, and is fault-finding.

It is indicated when the patient feels it’s not worth taking medication as they are not going to get better.

The patient feels restless due to shortness of breath but is unable to move around due to weakness in physic.

There is difficulty in breathing when lying down, feels suffocated at midnight.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

2) BLATA ORIENTALIS -For dyspnea with cough leading to breathlessness

Symptoms

This is a wonderful remedy for dyspnea with the sensation of shortness of breath due to allergies, there is cough leading to breathlessness.

It is a wonderful remedy for breathlessness worsened by exertion and in damp places, the patient has difficulty in climbing stairs due to shortness of breath.

There is coughing up mucus with pus.

Potency & dosage

200 CH Potency,4-8 globules daily ones are used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

3) IPECACUANHA-For Acute dyspnea

Symptoms

This is a wonderful remedy for people who have acute dyspnea, there is shortness of breath associated with nausea and vomiting.

It is a wonderful remedy for dyspnea with shortness of breath associated with severe anxiety, and breathlessness that is relieved by sitting in a room with open windows.

It is indicated when there is the sensation of weight on the chest, and continuous cough.

It is a wonderful remedy for dyspnea when symptoms are worse in warm and humid weather and increases with rising heat, it works as an expectorant and removes phlegm from the airways.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

4) LOBELIA INFLATA-For dyspnea due to chemical irritant

Symptoms

It is a great remedy for dyspnea due to allergic smoke, tobacco smoke, there is constriction in the chest, and a sensation of heaviness and pressure in the chest that is relieved by brisk walking.

It is indicated when there is shortness of breath along with stomach problems, nausea, and vomiting associated with cough.

It is a wonderful remedy when symptoms are worse by drought, cold and damp weather, and better in the evening and with warmth.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

5) ANTIMONIUM TARTARICUM:-For dyspnea with a respiratory infection

Symptoms

It is a great remedy for dyspnea shortness of breath associated with a respiratory infection and excessive mucus production

It is indicated for breathlessness with irritability, worse lying down and preference to be alone.

It is indicated when there is drowsiness, pallor, or bluish discoloration of the face, and symptoms increases in hot weather and improve when fanned or in the open air.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

6)CARBO VEGETABILIS-For dyspnea with blueness of the skin

Symptoms

It is a wonderful remedy for dyspnea, with shortness of breath which causes blueness or cyanosis of the skin.

It is indicated when there is hoarseness of voice, burning in the chest, loose cough, and shortness of breath with the slightest exertion.

It is a wonderful remedy for wheezing and rattling of mucus in the chest, worse in the evening, in the open air, after eating and talking accompanied by reduced vitality from loss of vital fluids.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

7) KALI CARBONICUM -For dyspnea due to depression

Symptoms

A useful remedy in dyspnea, where the symptoms come after depression, there is constant and excessive weakness, pain sweating, and weakness.

It is indicated when there is cough and breathlessness at 2:00-3:00 am, wheezing and breathlessness are relieved by sitting and bending forward associated with excessive burning all over the body and accompanied by severe anxiety.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

8) NATRUM SULPHURICUM:-For dyspnea due to allergic factors or asthmatic attack

Symptoms

This remedy is often indicated for dyspnea with an asthmatic attack with every episode of cold, there is pain and soreness in the chest with loose cough

It is indicated when the cough compels the patient to sit right up, relieved by putting pressure on the chest, symptoms are worse in damp and cold places and between 4-5 am.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

9)CALCEREA ARSENICOSA -For dyspnea due to heart condition

Symptoms

It is indicated when there is dyspnea due to an underlying heart condition especially when there is breathlessness and suffocation, there is severe palpitation of the heart with slight emotion.

It is indicated when there is a throbbing with constricted feeling in the heart region which affects blood circulation and is associated with anxiety.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency, four globules three times a day is used. External application of ointment along with internal medicine is advisable.

10) ACONITE -For dyspnea due to exposure to cold

Symptoms

It is a great remedy for dyspnea there is a sudden onset of breathlessness causing suffocation, with coldness and shivering.

It is indicated when the patient suffers from an anxiety attack that causes breathlessness, the patient is restless and moves around in great agony.

It is indicated with associated circulatory disturbances like rapid heart rate, the fullness of pulse, and the rush of blood to the forehead and face.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

Remember that homeopathic remedies should be prescribed based on individual symptoms and characteristics. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified homeopath for proper evaluation and personalized treatment. Homeopathy focuses on treating the whole person, so a detailed case study is necessary to select the most appropriate remedy.

Homeopathic medicines should be taken only when prescribed by a homeopathic physician. Self-medication may aggravate the original conditions.