Breathing issues may occur due to several reasons, including infection, inflammation, and structural problems. Common symptoms of breathing issues include shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Breathing problems can cause a great deal of discomfort and make it difficult for people to carry out their everyday activities.

In some cases, severe breathing troubles may even require hospitalization. There are many different causes of breathing problems, most commonly:

Asthma
This chronic lung condition causes the airways to narrow and swell, making it difficult for the body to get enough oxygen. During an asthma attack, a patient can experience shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest. Asthma can be treated with medication, including inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, or long-acting beta-agonists that help open airways and make breathing easier.

Nasal polyps
These are growths that form on the lining of your nasal passages. They are usually caused by allergies or inflammation, due to chronic sinusitis, and can block your nasal passages and make breathing difficult. Nasal polyps symptoms include difficulty breathing, snoring, and a congested nose. This condition can be treated with surgery or medication to shrink polyps.

Food or environmental allergies
Food and environmental allergies can cause breathing problems and require an allergist for diagnosis. Allergy signs include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Treatment is usually with antihistamines or steroids and may also involve avoiding the trigger substance entirely.

COPD
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a term used to refer to diseases that block airflow and cause breathing-related issues, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The condition affects the lungs and is caused by smoking, exposure to fumes and dust, and air pollution. COPD can cause difficulty breathing, chest congestion, and coughing. There is no cure for this disease, but available treatment options help manage and ease the symptoms.

Pneumonia
This occurs when the lungs become inflamed due to infection by certain bacteria or viruses. It causes fever, chills, and a cough that produces phlegm (sputum). Pneumonia symptoms include rapid breathing, chest pain, especially on deep breaths, and feeling tired all the time, even if the person has not been doing anything strenuous lately. This condition requires antibiotics or antiviral medication depending on what type of organism has caused this bacterial or viral infection.

Heart disease
Heart disease is a condition that affects the heart and its ability to pump blood around the body. This can lead to shortness of breath, especially when someone is active or if their heart is working harder than usual, like during a heart attack. Other symptoms of this condition include chest pain, feeling faint or dizzy, and swollen ankles and feet. It is important to see a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

There are many different causes of breathing problems. Some of them are minor and can be treated with over-the-counter medication, while others may require hospitalization. It’s important to get examined by a doctor, and follow COPD, asthma, allergy or NTM treatment guidelines, if you have been diagnosed with an inflammatory lung disease.