Shortness of breath – the feeling of being unable to get enough air, or that it takes more effort than usual to breathe – can be a symptom of many different conditions. While most of us think it’s a lung problem if we feel short of breath, it’s often related to a heart condition. Plus, there are many other possible causes.
Because identifying the underlying reason for shortness of breath isn’t always clearcut, Cooper University Health Care created the Cooper Breathing Center, a one-stop resource for accurate, timely diagnosis and treatment planning.
Possible Causes of Shortness of Breath
There are many different reasons you may be experiencing shortness of breath. These include:
- Lung diseases such as COPD, asthma, asbestosis and cancer.
- Heart and vascular disease such as coronary artery disease (CAD), valve disease and heart failure.
- Obesity.
- Allergies.
- Anxiety.
- Airway obstruction.
- Disorders affecting breathing nerves and muscles.
- Disorders of the blood and metabolism.
- Restriction of chest volume due to such conditions as scoliosis.
- Certain medications.
If you’re experiencing shortness of breath, see your doctor. Once a cause is identified and properly treated, many patients substantially improve or eliminate their symptoms altogether.
“We’re the only comprehensive Center in South Jersey focused on why someone has shortness of breath,” says Center Director
Melvin R. Pratter, MD, FCCP, FACP. He heads a team of pulmonologists (doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating lung conditions) who use today’s most advanced approaches for diagnosing shortness of breath.
Dr. Pratter and his colleagues have conducted two major studies that set the standard for the most efficient way to determine what’s causing someone’s shortness of breath. They start with the simplest, least invasive tests and progress to more complicated testing only if initial results indicate they’re necessary.
“As a result, we make diagnoses in 99 percent of cases with fewer tests,” Dr. Pratter says, saving patients time and money.
Another strength of the Cooper Breathing Center is its close collaboration with other Cooper specialists.
“Even though we’re all pulmonologists, we don’t approach a diagnosis strictly from that point of view,” Dr. Pratter notes. “We take a holistic approach.”
This is important because shortness of breath isn’t always just a lung problem.
“The most common causes of shortness of breath relate to the lungs and heart, so we work closely with cardiologists,” he says. “And if other tests or expertise are needed, we have it all here at the Center.”
In fact, he notes, it’s not uncommon for there to be more than one reason for a patient’s shortness of breath. This underscores the advantage of having many different specialists working closely together as they do at the Cooper Breathing Center.
Shortness of breath can come on suddenly in a matter of minutes or hours, or chronically over days, weeks or months – even years. It’s important to see your doctor if you develop shortness of breath, even if you think there is an obvious reason for your symptoms.
And if you have chest pain, feel lightheaded or your symptoms rapidly get worse, call 911 immediately.
After an initial evaluation by your physician, if the reason for your shortness of breath isn’t clear, a referral to the Cooper Breathing
Center may be in order.
“We have enormous experience doing this,” Dr. Pratter says. “And patients can be seen the same week they call.”
Please call 856.342.2406 for more information or to make an appointment with a Cooper Breathing Center physician.