Breathing Problems

Difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, breathlessness or dyspnea can have various causes. Episodes of shortness of breath can occur during high levels of activity or as a result of environmental conditions such as high altitude or very warm or cold temperatures. Other than these extreme conditions, shortness of breath is commonly a sign of a medical problem.

Follow the links below to find information on breathing problems. For specific information about choking (or asphyxiation), altitude sickness or sleep apnoea, follow the links to the specific topic pages below.

Reviewed September 2011

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Related HealthInsite Topics

Altitude Sickness

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about altitude sickness.

Choking

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about preventing asphyxiation and choking and what to do if it happens.

Sleep Apnoea

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about sleep apnoea (apnea).

Systematic Reviews of Treatments for Breathing Problems

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to systematic reviews of the evidence for the effectiveness of treatments for breathing problems.

28 Resources Found

Results 1 to 20 displayed.     1  2 

Title:   Epiglottitis
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Epiglottitis is a rare but very serious disease that can cause children to die because their airway in the throat becomes blocked.
Date:   Nov 2011
Title:   Coughing and wheezing in children
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Coughing and wheezing in babies or children can have many causes. Colds and other viruses, choking, croup, bronchiolitis, hay fever, asthma, whooping cough and pneumonia can all cause coughing and wheezing. However, most cases can be managed at home. If your child stops breathing or becomes distressed, seek urgent medical help.
Date:   Sep 2011
Title:   Cough
Publisher:   Virtual Medical Centre.com
Description:   Medical information about causes of coughing, whooping cough symptoms, kennel cough dry cough medicine, chronic cough, whooping cough symptom of croup cough with cough remedies.
Date:   Sep 2011
Title:   Haemophilus influenza type B
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Before the introduction of Hib immunisation in 1993, the bacterial infection Haemophilus influenza type B was one of the most common causes of meningitis in young children (generally under the age of 2 years), and it was also the cause of epiglottitis which causes breathing problems.
Date:   Aug 2011
Title:   Treating coughs in babies and children
Publisher:   Raising Children Network (RCN)
Description:   Coughing is common during childhood and it can disturb sleep and everyday functioning. A guide to recognising and treating the causes of a cough.
Date:   Jun 2011
Title:   Corticosteroid therapy in respiratory disorders
Publisher:   The Australian Lung Foundation
Description:   Corticosteroids (sometimes called "cortisone") are effective anti-inflammatory drugs often used to help control inflammatory diseases, for example, in the bowel (colitis), in the joints (arthritis), in the skin(dermatitis) and in the lungs.
Date:   May 2011
Title:   Chronic dyspnoea
Publisher:   Department of Health Western Australia
Description:   Diagnostic imaging algorithm for chronic dyspnoea.
Date:   May 2011
Title:   Swallowed objects
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Young children and babies learn about their world by putting things in their mouths. It is easy for them to swallow things that may be harmful to them.
Date:   May 2011
Title:   Breathing problems and exercise
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   People with lung disease may avoid activities or exercise. People with asthma, emphysema, bronchiectasis and chronic bronchitis may find exercise makes them breathless. However, regular physical activity can actually improve lung function and make breathing easier. Breathing exercises help too. Some hospitals run rehabilitation courses for pulmonary (lungs and airways) recovery.
Date:   Feb 2011
Title:   Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS, acute alveolar injury, traumatic wet lungs)
Publisher:   Virtual Medical Centre.com
Description:   Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is caused by a number of medical and surgical conditions that cause damage to the lungs, resulting in pulmonary oedema and severe respiratory failure. ARDS is also known as adult respiratory distress syndrome/failure, diffuse alveolar damage, acute alveolar injury and traumatic wet lungs.
Date:   Feb 2011
Title:   Breathlessness in cancer
Publisher:   Virtual Medical Centre.com
Description:   Breathlessness is a common symptom of advanced cancer which is both distressing and frightening for patients and carers. Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide
Date:   Sep 2010
Title:   The interpretation of arterial blood gases
Publisher:   Australian Prescriber
Description:   Arterial blood gas analysis is used to measure the pH and the partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood.The investigation is relatively easy to perform and yields information that can guide the management of acute and chronic illnesses.
Date:   Aug 2010
Title:   Breathlessness
Publisher:   Virtual Medical Centre.com
Description:   Medical information about the causes of breathlessness symptoms and treatment of breathlessness
Date:   Jul 2010
Title:   Breathing
Publisher:   CareSearch
Description:   Breathing problems are a significant issue for many palliative care patients. These pages provide information and evidence regarding breathing problems for health professionals.
Date:   May 2010
Title:   ACBT - Active Cycle of Breathing Technique
Publisher:   NSW Department of Health
Description:   Breathing and coughing exercises to help the prevention of post-operative respiratory complications.
Date:   Feb 2010
Title:   Milk, mucus and cough
Publisher:   Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
Description:   Some people complain that milk makes their nose run, coats their throat and triggers coughing. Why is this so?
Date:   Jan 2010
Title:   Dry coughs - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   A dry cough is non-productive and irritating, and sometimes causes a tickly throat. Find out what products are available for a dry cough.
Date:   Sep 2009
Title:   Persistent stridor
Publisher:   Department of Health Western Australia
Description:   Diagnostic imaging algorithm for young children with persistent unexplained stridor.
Date:   Jun 2009
Title:   Chesty coughs - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   When you have a chesty cough (wet, productive or phlegmy) your chest feels heavy and you may cough up mucus or phlegm. Find out what products are available for a chesty cough.
Date:   May 2009
Title:   Cough: treating dry cough - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   A dry cough can be treated using cough suppressants, decongestants, antihistamines, or with a combination of these products.
Date:   Mar 2009

Results 1 to 20 displayed.     1  2