Labored Breathing: This is more than merely being short of breath – it may be a sign of something life-threatening and more severe. Understanding the symptoms that can accompany labored breathing can aid an individual in identifying the problem and save the life of a loved one. As with many medical problems, if you experience breathing that is labored, seek immediate medical attention.

The type of breathing involves pain or difficulty when inhaling as well as exhaling a feeling of not getting enough oxygen, feeling a lump or obstruction in the throat keeping air from getting into the lungs, or tightness in the chest when breathing. There are numerous causes from anaphylaxis to acute severe asthma and are life-threatening.

Asthma is inflammation of the lining of the lungs resulting in labored breathing. The individual might be having an asthma attack particularly if there is also skin that is moist, inability to take a deep breath, or irregular breathing. Most asthma is usually treated by using a steroid that is inhaled for reducing the inflammation but this only helps during early onset. With onset that is late specially where labored breathing converts into stopped breathing crisis medical help is needed immediately.

“Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder” or CODP is another disease that can cause labored breathing. This is a continuing illness that normally occurs in low-impact activity or exercise with labored breathing. Often it is also supplemented by pain when inhaling and/or exhaling and a sickly or graying paleness of the skin due to lack of oxygen. Anyone with COPD can also have shortness of breath even at rest, which many call labored breathing as well. COPD needs medical attention in order to manage it and severe acute attacks need to be attended to immediately.