Breathlessness What is it?How and why do you get it By Dr Harold Gunatillake Transcript: Breathlessness- is a form of unpleasant breathing, rapid or difficult breathing. Normally in healthy condition you breath comfortably without your knowing at the rate of 14 breaths per minute at rest, to provide sufficient oxygen to breath in and to breath out the carbon dioxide produced in the body through metabolic process. Few sensations are as frightening as not being able to get enough air. Doctors use the term dyspnea for intense tightening in the chest, air hunger, difficulty breathing, breathlessness or a feeling of suffocation. Breathlessness indicates that the body needs more oxygen and energy when exerting itself. Now, what are the causes that produce shortness of breath. Common causes include asthma, a chest infection like pneumonia, a weak heart, being overweight, smoking. It could be a panic attack. It could be something serious ...

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