Panting can occur due to more intense physical activity, being considered normal, but it can also occur due to a sedentary lifestyle, which is the lack of physical activity, resulting in excessive tiredness and difficulty in carrying out daily activities.
Furthermore, wheezing, also known as hyperventilation, can arise due to health conditions such as anxiety, asthmatic bronchitis, pneumonia, anemia or COVID-19, for example, and be accompanied by other symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, lack of breath, cough or chest pain, for example.
It is important to consult a pulmonologist or general practitioner whenever wheezing appears, especially when it becomes frequent and does not improve even after rest, or is accompanied by other symptoms, so that the cause can be diagnosed and the most appropriate treatment can be initiated.
The main causes of wheezing are:
1. Intense physical activity
When performing a very intense physical activity that the body is not used to, it is common for breathing to become faster and shorter, this is a sign that the body is perceiving the activity and is generating physical conditioning.
What to do: after intense physical activity, it is recommended to rest, as this will gradually return your breathing to normal. Furthermore, it is important to continue practicing the activity, as this way the person gains physical conditioning and does not experience wheezing and fatigue so easily.
Don’t ignore your symptoms!
Anxiety can lead to the emergence of psychological and physical symptoms, including panting, dizziness, chest pain and, in some cases, a feeling of fainting, for example. Know how to recognize the symptoms of anxiety.
What to do: It is important to recognize the factors that lead to the emergence of anxiety symptoms, in addition to adopting measures that help you relax, such as practicing physical activity, valuing the present and trying to breathe deeply and calmly. This way, it is possible to control anxiety symptoms.
However, when these attitudes are not enough or when anxiety symptoms can interfere with day-to-day activities, it is recommended to seek help from a psychologist so that a more specific treatment can be initiated that promotes the person’s well-being.
3. Anemia
One of the characteristics of anemia is a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen to the body. Thus, when there is little hemoglobin available, the person may breathe more heavily in an attempt to capture more oxygen and thus meet the body’s needs.
Learn about other symptoms of anemia.
What to do: in these cases, it is important to carry out tests to confirm anemia and start treatment according to the doctor’s recommendation, which may involve the use of medicines, supplements or changes in diet, for example.
4. Heart failure
In heart failure, the heart has difficulty pumping blood to the body, resulting in a decrease in the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, tiredness, nighttime coughing and swelling in the legs at the end of the day. , for example. Understand more about heart failure.
What to do: it is recommended that heart failure be identified through examinations and, if confirmed, treatment be initiated in accordance with the cardiologist’s guidance. The doctor usually recommends the use of medicines to improve heart function, in addition to changes in eating and lifestyle habits.
5. Asma
The main symptom of asthma is difficulty breathing due to inflammation in the bronchi, which prevents the passage of air, making breathing more labored. The symptoms of asthmatic attacks usually appear when the person is exposed to cold, allergens, smoke or dust mites, being more common first thing in the morning or when the person goes to sleep.
What to do: It is important that the person always has the inhaler on hand for asthma attacks, as as soon as the first symptoms appear, the medication should be used. If the firecracker is not nearby, it is recommended to remain calm and remain in the same position until medical help arrives or you are taken to an emergency department. Additionally, it is recommended to loosen your clothes and try to breathe slowly. Check out first aid in case of asthma.
6. Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a respiratory disease caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi and which, among other symptoms, can cause a feeling of shortness of breath and wheezing. This is because in pneumonia, infectious agents lead to lung inflammation and accumulation of fluid within the lung alveoli, making it difficult for air to pass through.
What to do: Treatment for pneumonia must be carried out according to the cause and according to the guidance of the pulmonologist or general practitioner, and the use of antibiotics, antivirals or antifungals may be recommended, in addition to changing the diet so that the immune system becomes stronger. Understand how pneumonia is treated.
7. COPD
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is chronic inflammation or obstruction in the lining of the bronchi or bronchioles, making it difficult to exchange respiratory gases, generally caused by chronic bronchitis or pulmonary emphysema, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath , constant cough with phlegm or a sensation of noise or wheezing in the chest when breathing.
COPD can arise mainly due to the habit of smoking as the smoke and other substances present in cigarettes gradually cause destruction of the tissue that forms the airways.
What to do: The treatment of COPD must involve medication, such as inhaled bronchodilators, oral corticosteroids or antibiotics, respiratory physiotherapy or, in the most severe cases, surgery. Furthermore, it is essential to stop smoking. See how COPD is treated.
8. Asthmatic bronchitis
Asthmatic bronchitis is an inflammation of the lung bronchi that arises due to an allergy or respiratory infection and which leads to symptoms such as wheezing, difficulty breathing and wheezing when breathing, for example.
What to do: The treatment of asthmatic bronchitis must be guided by a pulmonologist who may recommend the use of medications that deinflame the lung bronchi and facilitate the passage of air, such as inhalation pumps, antibiotics or respiratory physiotherapy. Check out the main treatments for asthmatic bronchitis.
9. COVID-19
COVID-19 is a respiratory infection in which the first symptoms that may appear are a sore throat, dry cough, fever or excessive tiredness.
Furthermore, COVID-19 can cause other symptoms such as body pain, headache, loss of taste or smell, runny or stuffy nose, for example. In more serious cases, wheezing, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath may also occur. Know how to identify all the symptoms of COVID-19.
What to do: It is important to carry out isolation, and the rapid COVID test, which may or the RT-PCR test recommended by the general practitioner, to confirm the infection, and if necessary, the doctor can prescribe the use of medications that help alleviate the symptoms. Understand how COVID-19 is treated.
10. Sedentary lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle is a lifestyle in which no type of physical exercise is practiced regularly, in addition to sitting for a long time, which directly influences health and well-being, resulting in weight gain, obesity, constant tiredness, in addition to wheezing and shortness of breath when carrying out simple day-to-day activities.
What to do: To get out of a sedentary lifestyle, it is necessary to change some lifestyle habits, both related to diet and physical exercise, and it is recommended that you consult a general practitioner to assess your general health status and begin practicing physical exercise gradually, accompanied by a physical education professional. Find out how to get out of a sedentary lifestyle.
