Shortness Of Breath Specialist
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Salman Alim, MD
Pulmonologist located in Humble, TX
Shortness of breath is often scary, and can be life-threatening in some cases. At the first sign of shortness of breath, see expert pulmonologist Salman Alim, MD, at his Humble, Texas, office. He can find the root cause of breathing problems and treat it to reduce your risk of complications, giving you a better quality of life. Call the office today to schedule an appointment or book one online.
Shortness of Breath Q&A
What is shortness of breath?
Shortness of breath is a condition in which you have difficulty getting a full breath of air. You might experience chest tightness, wheezing, or gasping for air. It’s a situation that can feel scary or be life-threatening in some cases. Finding the root cause of shortness of breath and seeking treatment is crucial.
What causes shortness of breath?
Many things can cause shortness of breath, including:
- Asthma
- Allergic reactions
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Whooping cough
- Colds and flu
- COVID-19
- Emphysema
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Heart problems
- Heart attack
- Obesity
Because some causes of shortness of breath are serious and life-threatening, seek medical care right away if you or a loved one has difficulty breathing.
How does my provider find the cause of shortness of breath?
To find the cause of shortness of breath, Dr. Alim discusses your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle. He completes a physical exam to look for symptoms of disease, and listens to your breathing and heartbeat.
Dr. Alim might recommend that you have blood tests, nasal and/or throat swabs, pulse oximetry, asthma and allergy testing, chest X-rays, other imaging procedures, lung function tests, or heart function testing to develop an effective treatment.
What are common treatments for shortness of breath?
How your shortness of breath is treated will depend on what’s causing it and how severe it is. Dr. Alim could recommend any combination of the following:
Home remedies
Things you can do at home to relieve shortness of breath include getting plenty of rest, eating healthy foods, maintaining a healthy weight, and drinking lots of fluids. Try over-the-counter cough medicines if Dr. Alim recommends it, don’t smoke, and avoid breathing in fumes and other workplace irritants.
Allergy treatments
Common allergy treatments include oral allergy medications, nasal sprays, and allergy shots that help relieve shortness of breath.
Asthma treatments
Asthma treatments available from Dr. Alim include inhalers, biological treatments (injections), and bronchial thermoplasty, a procedure in which Dr. Alim applies thermal energy to your lungs to reduce airway constriction.
Oxygen therapy
During oxygen therapy, you breathe in oxygen through a special tube in your nose to increase the amount of oxygen in your blood.
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehab is a program that uses exercise training, education, and nutrition counseling to help you breathe easier.
Heart disease treatments
If your shortness of breath is linked to a heart problem, Dr. Alim can refer you to a heart specialist. You might take medications and make dietary and other lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of serious complications.
Don’t live with debilitating shortness of breath that could indicate a serious medical problem. Call Salman Alim, MD, today or schedule an appointment online to get treated for your condition.
