When to see a doctor

Seek emergency medical care

Call 911 or your local emergency number or have someone drive you to the emergency room if you experience severe shortness of breath that comes on suddenly and affects your ability to function. Seek emergency medical care if your shortness of breath is accompanied by chest pain, fainting, nausea, a bluish tinge to lips or nails, or a change in mental alertness — as these may be signs of a heart attack or pulmonary embolism.

Make a doctor's appointment

Make an appointment with your doctor if your shortness of breath is accompanied by:

• Swelling in your feet and ankles
• Trouble breathing when you lie flat
• High fever, chills and cough
• Wheezing
• Worsening of preexisting shortness of breath

Self-care

To help keep chronic shortness of breath from getting worse:

• Stop smoking. Quit smoking, or don't start. Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. If you have COPD, quitting can slow the progression of the disease and prevent complications.
• Avoid exposure to pollutants. As much as possible, avoid breathing allergens and environmental toxins, such as chemical fumes or secondhand smoke.
• Avoid extremes in temperature. Activity in very hot and humid or very cold conditions may magnify the dyspnea caused by chronic lung diseases.
• Have an action plan. If you have a medical condition that causes shortness of breath, discuss with your doctor what to do if your symptoms become worse.
• Keep elevation in mind. When traveling to areas with higher altitude, take time to adjust and avoid exertion until then.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise can help improve physical fitness and the ability to tolerate activity. Exercise — along with weight loss if you're overweight — may help decrease any contribution to shortness of breath from deconditioning. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.
• Take your medications. Skipping medications for chronic lung and cardiac conditions can lead to poorer control of dyspnea.
• Regularly check your equipment. If you rely on supplemental oxygen, be sure your supply is adequate and the equipment works properly.