Everyone has felt shortness of breath at some point in their life. It could happen after a trek, at the end of a run, or even after climbing a flight of stairs. Breathing is the body’s way of taking in oxygen for survival. It also removes poisonous carbon dioxide from the body through this process. Experiencing breathlessness on rare occasions is common. But humans should not have breathing difficulties regularly. If such episodes repeat, you need to get a thorough checkup done. This article talks about the cause of breathing problems in adults and children. You also learn about the first aid required to deal with such an issue. The blog discusses the relationship between healthcare online CPR certification and breathing emergencies.
What causes breathing emergencies?
Breathing has two steps- inhaling and exhaling. These work hand in hand to complete the exchange of gasses. The organs involved in breathing are the lungs and windpipe. Outside, the nose and mouth pose as the entry and exit points for air. Any problem with either of these four units could lead to breathing issues. Below mentioned are some of the common causes of breathing emergencies.
- Asthma: The lungs have many tiny sacs that help exchange air. These connect to the alveoli and then to the pipes of the lungs. People with asthma have smaller alveoli, so the sacs get less air. These people have more trouble breathing out carbon dioxide than taking in oxygen. Often with dry throat or infections, they experience breathlessness that needs steroid medication.
- Cold and Flu: The world comprises many viruses and infections. These often enter the human body through the nose and mouth. A viral or bacterial infection usually causes nose blockage leading to difficulty breathing.
- Anxiety: Why do people with anxiety often feel breathless? Anxiety is a response to external dangers. The sudden release of hormones causes a feeling of breathlessness. This sensation of that goes away when the anxiety episode passes.
- Emphysema: Inhalation of cigarette smoke is the leading cause of the disease called emphysema. It destroys the lung sacs and could prove fatal if left unchecked.
- Cardiac Arrest: When the human body goes into cardiac arrest, the lungs fail due to a lack of oxygenated blood. Under such adverse circumstances, the brain fights for air by gasping. An onlooker would term this as breathlessness.
What happens to the body in a breathing emergency?
Humans breathe in air from the environment, which goes into the lungs. The bronchioles are tiny pipes that end in sacs called alveoli. It is in these sacs that the exchange of gasses takes place. The veins in the body carry blood laced with carbon dioxide. The arteries carry oxygenated blood. The air sacs have these two vessels together, and gas exchange occurs.
The gas exchange gets disturbed if this air sac gets infected or constricts. The body cannot get enough oxygen and cannot remove carbon dioxide. Respiratory failure can occur due to either situation. When there is a breathing emergency, the following things happen to the body.
- You will see the person suffering from this problem trying to gasp for breath. The brain sends out distress signals to the muscles around the chest.
- The eyes dilate in response to shortness of breath, and the person usually tries to grab their chest.
- Anyone experiencing breathlessness sits on their palms behind their back and tries to expand their chest. It is a reflex as the body wants to increase its lung capacity.
- Breathlessness could also lead to fainting and cardiac arrest if left untreated.
How does CPR certification ensure breathing?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation helps with two aspects of the human body. However, every bystander must ensure the print is entirely unconscious before starting CPR. CPR helps a breathless patient in the following ways.
- If the person falls unconscious, you may find their lips or nails turning blue. It is a warning sign that there is insufficient oxygen in the blood. You should immediately call 911 and start CPR. With CPR, you can restart blood circulation. You may also need to blow vigorously into the mouth of the patient to ensure they get air. Your breath delivers the required oxygen to the patient helping them to stabilize oxygen levels.
- People often faint from cardiac arrest after a breathlessness episode. It could happen due to excess stress levels in the body. You must immediately start CPR if the patient has no heartbeat. Timely given CPR can save more lives than a delayed process.
What is the difference between healthcare and bystander CPR?
A healthcare online CPR certification allows you to save lives. You can showcase it as the start of your resume. But, you must understand the difference between bystander and healthcare CPR first. If you wish to take a CPR course to help others around you, look at the various online courses.
- Bystander CPR is for people who do not work in the healthcare field. If you have any experience in this field, go for healthcare CPR.
- Bystander CPR is the best option for people who do not wish to administer medicines to a patient. Healthcare CPR teaches you about over-the-counter medication as well.
- Bystander CPR courses do not teach AED. But, every healthcare CPR course introduces the use of AED as well.
Conclusion
Breathlessness is not a disease but the body’s reaction to an underlying issue. It could be a symptom of asthma, lung disease, or even the common cold. Obese people also suffer from breathlessness when they start working out. Their bodies feel the weight, and their lungs tire out faster than expected. If you feel breathless after short walks, it is time to check your lungs. Children, older people, or even adults could suffer from this condition. Taking a healthcare online CPR certification is a preventive measure. It
