Dyspnea in sport and physical exercice : how to remedy it ?

Caution : You must consult your doctor for your health. This page presents only a personal and alternative point of view which should not be considered as an attempt to prescribe medicine.

Dyspnea on exertion, also called shortness of breath, results in a feeling of lack of air that prevents you from breathing properly.

As the name suggests, it occurs when a person performs some physical exertion such as playing sports.

This information will help you learn more about the subject.

Causes of exertional dyspnea and shortness of breath in sport

Dyspnea on exertion usually has the origin of heart or lung problems.

It takes place when the body does not receive enough oxygen, or when certain problems or anomalies prevent the athlete from breathing properly during a session.

This can be caused by a defect in one of the oxygen transport links in the body.

It can be the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, the energy metabolism of muscle cells or the oxygen transport system.

While participating in a sporting activity, a failure of one of its systems can result in shortness of breath.

When you are in this situation, you will need to consult a doctor who will give you specific examinations to define the exact cause of the problem.

Usually, dyspnea is due to a problem with the airways.

Athletes are in fact more exposed than average to Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (BIE) or even asthma, which can be a cause of this pathology in the latter.

Symptoms of dyspnea on exertion and shortness of breath in sport

To detect exertional dyspnea, certain elements must first be taken into account.

It is about the specific exercise performed, the energy supplied and the climate in which you find yourself at the time of the exercise.

Once this information is taken into account, you can look for symptoms.

We have among others:

• a cough after exertion;
• difficulty breathing normally;
• chest pain;
• a loss of energy;
• palpitations;
• uneasiness;
• visual disturbances.

Dyspnea on exertion can manifest itself in a number of ways.

Diagnosis of dyspnea on exertion and shortness of breath in sport

To diagnose exertional dyspnea, your doctor will perform several tests.

First, a heart auscultation will be done to determine if it is due to a heart or respiratory problem.

This will be followed by a resting EKG, blood test, chest x-ray and many other tests if necessary.

The flagship examination, however, remains the stress cardiac test, which checks the condition of the links that carry oxygen.

Treatment of dyspnea on exertion and shortness of breath in sport

The treatment of dyspnea on exertion depends mainly on the origin of the latter.

When it comes from a respiratory problem, for example, oxygen therapy is adequate.

In the event of anemia, you will need an iron intake and you will need to have heart surgery for heart valve attacks.

You will understand, the treatment depends mainly on the cause.

Dyspnea on exertion and shortness of breath in sports are problems that can be quite disturbing for athletes.

They can reveal serious health problems, hence the need to see a doctor as soon as symptoms are observed.

In all cases, it will take step by step to resume intense physical activity.

In addition, sometimes exertional dyspnea is linked to a blockage of the diaphragm and it will therefore be essential to release it to catch your breath in all circumstances.

So, whatever the cause of your shortness of breath determined by your doctor, there are a few diaphragm-releasing exercises you can do every day to improve your situation.

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