Page 68 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2026

HEALTHY LIVING
When
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Breathing problems can be a sign of a medical emergency. Ignoring them may lead to complications such as pulmonary embolisms, pneumothorax, airway blockages, or damage to the nerves or muscles responsible for breathing. The following are signs that should never be ignored when it comes to breathing.
Shortness of breath has many causes, from being out of shape to life-threatening issues like blood clots. It can present as difficulty inhaling or exhaling, acid-base imbalance, or reduced oxygen intake.
A slight increase in breathing rate is normal during physical activity. However, symptoms such as fatigue, a heavy chest, dizziness, paleness, or fainting during exercise are concerning.
Severe chest pain or pressure, especially with difficulty breathing, sweating, arm pain, or nausea, may indicate a heart attack. Pain radiating to the upper back could suggest an aortic tear—both are emergencies and require medical attention.
A persistent cough with breathing difficulty, even at rest, could mean infection, pneumonia, pneumonitis, or possible COVID.
Wheezing, a whistling or raspy sound while breathing, suggests airway blockage.
Rapid, shallow breathing during anxiety is common. Addressing the cause can help prevent escalation to a panic attack.
Coughing up blood may occur in conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis, or cancers of the lung, stomach, or esophagus.
If you are having trouble catching your breath, you could feel lightheaded. This could lead to the loss
of consciousness. This could be a sign of problems transferring oxygen from your lungs into your bloodstream. It could also be a problem with the heart pumping oxygenated blood through your body.
Asthma and other breathing-related medical conditions can affect 1 in 13 Americans. Acute
and chronic conditions that cause narrowing or inflammation of the airway can affect anyone. Therefore, people should be aware of symptoms that should not be ignored. Once recognized, it is important to seek appropriate care from your doctor or at your nearest emergency facility.
68 | August 2026
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
story by Dr. Nickie Harris-Ray
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