Breathing Problems (the feeling of being unable to breath-shortness of breath, breathlessness, rapid breathing or tightness in the chest may be experienced)
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Emergent Care - Have you identified one or more of the following symptoms?
- Breathing difficulty, cool sweaty skin, blue-gray color of lips or, legs or arms, or changes in mental state
- Chest pain with shortness of breath
- Wheezing with or without a high pitched musical sound when breathing in or grunting when breathing out
- Breathing difficulty and history of asthma, emphysema, congestive heart failure, or other respiratory or chronic disease
- Breathing difficulty after inhaling a foreign object, smoke, fumes or chemical irritant
- Wheezing and cough that brings up thick rust colored mucus
- Breathing difficulty 15-30 minutes after receiving an insect bite, taking medication or eating
- Swelling of face, tongue or lips
- Observed grabbing at throat, inability to speak or swallow saliva
- Shortness of breath with a cough, swelling of fingers, ankles or feet
- Shortness of breath while lying down and needs to sleep elevated or sitting up
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No |
Seek Immediate Medical Attention!
These symptoms can be life-threatening. |
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| Bring all medications when visiting a health care provider
Breathing problems are a symptom of acute and chronic problems and may point to heart trouble
Do not drive self to Health Care Provider when experiencing breathing problems |
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Urgent Care - Have you identified one or more of the following symptoms?
- Shortness of breath with known heart disease
- Shortness of breath when walking, exercising or climbing stairs
- New shortness of breath when lying down
- Shortness of breath with flu/cold symptoms (fever, cough, headache)
- Hyperventilation, shortness of breath plus any of the following: racing heartbeat, tingling in fingers, trembling, sweating, clammy hands, irritability
- Diagnosed asthmatic with continued breathing difficulty after taking asthma medication
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No |
Contact Your Health Care Provider. |
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Self-Management - You can help in the following ways:
- Stop activity when experiencing breathing problems
- Sit up or elevate head with several pillows when short of breath
- Loosen clothing that is tight around the neck or chest
- Cool mist humidifier to increase humidity in room
- Slow deep breaths if hyperventilating or hold paper bag tightly over nose and mouth, breathe in and out at least 10 times (should get results in 2-5 minutes)
- Avoid smoking and smoke filled rooms
- Take medications for asthma as directed
- Avoid pollen and flowers if symptoms are seasonal
- Limit contact with dogs and cats
- Vacuum, dust or damp mop 2-3 times a week to remove dust, pollen, and mold and animal dander
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