One of the most common symptoms of COPD or other respiratory diseases is shortness of breath on exertion.
However can anyone tell me what is the shortness of breath, that we need to worry about ?
I can lift my child who weights 40 lbs and walk for about 10 minutes and I then need to put him down and I am breathing heavily. Is that shortness of breath ?
Running for 2 minutes and then breathing heavily, is that shortness of breath ?
What is the shortness of breath that you need to be worried about ?
im no expert as im a new diagnosed patient. i couldnt do anything what youve described. im out of breath getting a shower. i have to take a break. then go and sit down to get dressed. thats just an example. im in very early stages. good luck and take care julie xxxxxxxxxx
I think you are doing ok able to lift 40lbs and walk for 10 minutes before needing to stop.
For me I am short of breath on exertion which can just be standing up from a chair and walking 6-8 paces, but I still do things even when short of breath. Being short of breath doesn't stop me doing things it just means I tire more quickly.
Running for 3-4 paces would have me very short of breath, but have to admit I don't make a point of running
Shortness of breath on exertion for some one without damaged lungs may only occur if they skip, run, play sport etc, every one has shortness of breath to one degree or another.
There are many causes for shortness of breath as explained here:
the shortness of breath to be worried about is when you can't catch your breathe, when you are turning blue (lack of oxygen) pain in your chest, real pain could suggest cardiac issue, some information as indicated in the link above.
HI there! Being a newbie myself a year ago I turned to this forum for clarification. To find out that COPD does create shortness of breath. Some worse than others. It's a good thing for you to keep as active as you can. Excertion could be anything other then just resting. You just can't sit nor do you. I have learned how to know when I am getting short of breath so that to me is excertion. Cleaning, going upstairs, walking. I know have learned that when I get sob then I stop for a few moments. Info what us called pursed lip breathing to at which time I stop what I am doing just until I get my breath back then continue. When I go to bed up one flight of stairs I do 6 steps, stop for a moment and do the pursed lip breathing. Then that last 6 steps I do the same. I practise this with any exertion. Washing my car. A little here and a little there but I get the job done. Just takes a bit longer.
Hope this helps you but just my personal experience under my Doctors instructions. Hang in there
I would consider taking a test to see how your lungs are operating, early shortness of breath could be the start of a problem depending on your lifestyle, eg smoking. The lung function test will ensure full function of lungs I have copd the first symptom was shortness of breath, easily puffed after exertion and numerous lung infections. If you are concerned check with dr your short of breath can also be just lack of exercise, a lung function test will give the answer
No, breathing heavy after running for 2 minutes isn't SOB, it's what healthy people do after running a bit. Start training intelligently and you'll go further.
No, it isn't SOB to need to let that half-adult walk on its own 2 feet - or get in its wheelchair, etc.
In short: you don't have SOB so why are you quizzing about it?
My nurse give me an inhaler ventolin said try it and come back in 4 weeks.
she was not happy when i said i have not used it yet because i don't get SOB and can walk miles without any problems, but she says if your breathing heavily and heart rate changes after walking up a steep hill that is SOB but everyone i know get's the same walking up a steep hill.
Any way she said it wont hurt to try it, but i told her i am not trying anything until i thnk i need it.
hiya i can see where your are coming from. now i take something in a morning called Incruse, then through the day when in breathless well actually before im going to do anything i use the salbutamol inhaler. does nothing i still get breathless and chest pain. trouble is im in catch 22 they can try me on anything else due to my heart. im just in limbo at the moment. good luck and take care of your self julie