Breathing Difficulties

Breathiness occurs in healthy people as a normal response to exercising, but it can also be symptoms of many diseases, including chronic conditions such as asthma and emphysema. Breathiness difficulty should always be taken seriously, especially if it starts suddenly. Even young, fit people can be affected by conditions that cause breathiness difficulty.

First Aid:

Even if you do not know the cause of the breathing difficulties, act as follows:

• Sit the sufferer upright and supported.
• If they are on medication for breathing problems, get them to take it.
• Loosen clothing around the neck.’
• Try to keep the sufferer calm.
• If the breathing does not return to normal, seek medical attention.

Seek medical help, if:

• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing bouts
• Inability to talk, eat or play
• Vomiting 
• Lips or fingers turning blue
• Using stomach muscles excessively to breathe (convulsing while breathing)