breathing overview for patients

Overview

Breathing is the process of taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. When you breathe in, air travels through your nose or mouth, down your windpipe, and into your lungs. Your lungs are two spongy organs that take oxygen from the air and pass it into your blood, so your body's organs and muscles can work. When you breathe out, your lungs expel carbon dioxide, a waste product your body needs to get rid of. Healthy breathing is usually automatic — you don't have to think about it. Many conditions can affect how well you breathe, so it's helpful to understand how your lungs work.

Breathing problems are very common. Millions of people around the world live with lung conditions like asthma, COPD, or lung infections such as pneumonia. Even temporary breathing issues, like from a cold or anxiety, can affect people of all ages.

Breathing problems can affect anyone — from infants to older adults. Certain conditions are more common in children, like asthma, while others mainly affect people over 40, such as COPD. Some breathing problems are present from birth, while others develop from infections, allergies, smoking, or air pollution.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Shortness of breath, or feeling like you can't get enough air
• Coughing that lasts more than a few days
• Wheezing, or a whistling sound when you breathe
• Chest tightness or pressure
• Feeling tired or weak with daily activities

Symptoms in children

• Breathing faster than normal
• Flaring of the nostrils with each breath
• Making a grunting sound
• The skin between the ribs pulling in with each breath
• Refusing to eat or drink because breathing is hard

Symptoms in older adults

• Severe tiredness or weakness
• Confusion or drowsiness, which can be a sign of low oxygen
• Breathlessness that is new or getting worse
• Swelling in the legs or belly, sometimes linked to heart or lung problems
• Bluish colour on lips or fingers

Causes

Main causes

• Lung infections like colds, flu, bronchitis, or pneumonia
• Long-term lung conditions like asthma or COPD
• Allergies, such as to pollen, dust, pet dander, or mould
• Heart problems, because the heart and lungs work together to supply oxygen
• Anxiety or panic attacks, which can cause rapid, shallow breathing
• Smoking or breathing in second-hand smoke or other air pollutants

Risk factors

• Smoking or being around people who smoke
• Working in a job with dust, chemicals, or fumes
• Living in areas with high air pollution
• A family history of lung problems like asthma or COPD
• Age, as older adults are more likely to have lung conditions
• Being born premature or having lung problems as a baby

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You have new or worsening shortness of breath that makes it hard to do daily tasks
• You are wheezing or coughing more than usual
• You have a high fever with coughing or difficulty breathing
• You notice your lips or fingers look bluish or pale
• You have chest pain when you breathe in or out

Book a routine appointment if:

• You have a cough that lasts more than three weeks
• You get breathless with activities that used to be easy
• You smoke or have smoked and have a daily cough or phlegm
• You want to learn how to manage a long-term lung condition
• You need advice about quitting smoking or getting vaccines

Diagnosis

To find out what is causing a breathing problem, your doctor will start by asking about your symptoms, medical history, and any exposures like smoking or pollution. They will listen to your chest with a stethoscope, check your breathing rate, and measure the oxygen level in your blood with a small clip on your finger. Depending on what they find, they may recommend breathing tests or imaging scans.

Tests that may be done

• Pulse oximetry — a small sensor on your finger that checks oxygen levels in your blood
• Spirometry — a test where you blow hard into a mouthpiece to measure how much air your lungs can hold and how fast you can blow it out
• Chest X-ray — a simple picture of your lungs to look for infections, fluid, or other problems
• Blood tests — to check for infection, anaemia, or other conditions that can affect breathing

What to expect at your appointment

These tests are usually quick and painless. For spirometry, you will be asked to take a deep breath and blow out as hard and as long as you can into a tube. A chest X-ray takes just a few minutes. Your doctor will explain the results and suggest next steps. There's no need to be anxious — the tests are routine and designed to help you get the right care.

Treatment

Treatment for breathing problems depends on the cause. For many people, the goal is to open the airways, reduce inflammation, and make it easier to breathe. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medicines, breathing exercises, oxygen therapy, or pulmonary rehabilitation, which is a program of exercise and education designed to help you manage your condition. Your doctor will recommend a plan that suits your situation.

Self-care at home

• Quit smoking if you smoke, as it's the single most important step
• Avoid breathing in smoke, dust, fumes, and other irritants
• Use a humidifier or steam to soothe irritated airways
• Practice slow, controlled breathing exercises, like pursed-lip breathing
• Stay as active as you can, as regular movement helps keep your lungs strong

Medical treatments

Medicines for breathing problems include inhaled treatments that relax the muscles around your airways, called bronchodilators, and inhaled steroids that reduce swelling inside the airways. Some people may need oral tablets, oxygen therapy, or vaccinations to prevent lung infections. Your doctor or pharmacist will explain how to use inhalers correctly and which treatments are safe for you.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is rarely needed for breathing problems. It may be considered for certain conditions, such as severe lung damage, large lung tumors, or a lung transplant. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you if surgery is a possible option.

Living with this condition

If you have a long-term breathing condition, learning to manage it well can make a big difference. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed, keep your inhalers with you, and know how to recognise early signs that your breathing is getting worse. Pacing yourself during the day and using breathing techniques can help you stay as active as possible.

Lifestyle tips

• Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke
• Avoid strong perfumes, cleaning sprays, and other lung irritants
• Get plenty of rest so your body can fight off infections
• Stay up to date with seasonal flu and other recommended vaccines
• Learn relaxation techniques to help prevent stress from making breathing worse

Diet and exercise

Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains can keep your immune system strong and help you maintain a healthy weight. Gentle exercise like walking, swimming, or cycling, with guidance from your healthcare team, can improve your breathing over time. If you feel too breathless, start slowly and build up gradually. A pulmonary rehabilitation program, if available, is a safe and supported way to exercise with lung problems.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Living with breathing difficulties can be stressful. It is common to feel anxious, especially if you worry about becoming breathless in public. Anxiety can actually make breathing worse, so it’s important to address it. Talk to your healthcare team, practice relaxation and mindfulness, and remember that you are not alone. If you are feeling overwhelmed or hopeless, seek support from a counsellor or a mental health professional.

Prevention

Many breathing problems can be prevented or made less severe by healthy habits. Not smoking, avoiding air pollution, and getting vaccinated are the most effective ways to protect your lungs. Good hand hygiene and avoiding close contact with people who are ill can also reduce your risk of respiratory infections.

Vaccines

Vaccines are one of the best ways to protect your lungs. Make sure you are up to date with your flu vaccine each year, and ask your doctor about pneumonia and other recommended vaccines, especially if you are older or have a long-term condition.

Screening programmes

There is no routine screening test for healthy people who have no symptoms. However, if you have a history of smoking or are at high risk for lung problems, your doctor may recommend regular lung function checks. Your healthcare provider can tell you if this is right for you.

Complications

If left untreated

• Low oxygen levels in your blood, which can damage organs over time
• Increased strain on your heart, which can lead to heart failure
• Respiratory failure, when your lungs can no longer provide enough oxygen for your body
• Serious infections that spread or become harder to treat

Long-term outlook

The outlook for most breathing problems is much better when they are identified early and treated appropriately. Even with a long-term lung condition, many people lead full, active lives by using the right medicines, making lifestyle changes, and staying connected with their healthcare team. Always ask questions and advocate for yourself — help is available.

Find support

International organisations

• European Lung Foundation ↗
• Asthma and Lung UK ↗
• American Lung Association ↗

External links open third-party websites. Ruqelo Health is not responsible for external content. Listing an organisation does not imply endorsement.