Although shortness of breath is a natural response to situations such as exercise or emotional stress, it may also be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition. Also known as dyspnea, shortness of breath is one of the most common symptoms experienced by individuals with progressive illnesses, such as cancer, emphysema and heart disease.

For people experiencing breathing problems, shortness of breath can be physically and emotionally frightening. Individuals may experience feelings of tightness in the chest, inability to get enough air and suffocation. This, in turn, can cause feelings of panic, which in turn often leads to a greater sense of breathlessness.

Dyspnea typically occurs in individuals with lung cancer but it may also develop when cancer in other areas has spread (metastasized) to the lung tissue. It also can occur in cancer patients who show no evidence of cancer in their lungs. Dyspnea can also be a side effect of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

A person whose heart or lungs are weak may become short of breath because these organs cannot work to meet the oxygen needs of the rest of the body. Therefore, anyone who regularly experiences shortness of breath for no apparent reason, or shortness of breath with less strenuous activity, is encouraged to see a physician to determine the cause. Shortness of breath and accompanying symptoms can be most effectively treated after the underlying cause has been determined. Management of dyspnea may include medications for the underlying condition or simply activities and lifestyle changes that can reduce the symptoms. Some individuals also use various complementary and alternative therapies to help reduce breathing problems. Patient should also check with their physicians before beginning any treatments of dyspnea.