Breathing Issues | Respiratory Issues

When to Seek Treatment For Breathing Issues:

Breathing is the action in which oxygen is transported to your lungs, where it is picked up by your red blood cells and distributed throughout the body. If you are experiencing shortness of breath and it is not due to heavy exertion, consult Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care or call your doctor.

If breathing has stopped or an individual appears to be in severe distress, call 911 immediately. Perform Emergency CPR if you know how.

Breathing Difficulties, Respiratory Issues or Shortness of Breath

It’s normal to be out of breath if you have been exercising or visiting a high-altitude region. However, shortness of breath without exertion, whether it comes on slowly or quickly, can be a sign of a serious illness. Breathing difficulties may be accompanied by chest pain, fever, swelling of the legs, or other symptoms that can point to a problem that requires medical assistance.

Many different diseases and conditions can cause or contribute to respiratory issues and difficulty breathing. Some problems may become serious and life-threatening or indicate a particular health issue. Shortness of breath can be caused by asthma, pneumonia, stress, the collapse of all or part of a lung, a pulmonary embolism, COPD, lung infection or cancer, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the lungs, to name a few.

Some breathing issues can be serious and life-threatening. If you aren’t sure why you have shortness of breath or respiratory issues, visit a Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care location to be checked out.

Breathing difficulties can feel like:

  • Chest tightness or discomfort
  • Not able draw a full breath or get enough air
  • Rapid, shallow breathing or significantly slowed breathing
  • Coughing constantly, wheezing, or have increased mucus production.

Visit a Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care facility or call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath and/or profuse sweating in the absence of physical exertion
  • Breathing issues or respiratory issues that appear suddenly
  • Loss of consciousness
  • A bluish tinge to the skin, especially on the lips and fingernails
  • Fever with difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Swelling in the legs with wheezing, bluish tinge to the skin, dizziness, or chest pain.
  • Strange breathing sounds

Respiratory Issues and Difficulty Breathing

Many different diseases and conditions can cause or contribute to respiratory issues and difficulty breathing. Some problems may become serious and life-threatening or indicate a particular health issue.

Shortness of breath can be caused by asthma, pneumonia, stress, the collapse of all or part of a lung, a pulmonary embolism, COPD, lung infection or cancer, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the lungs, to name a few.

At Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care, we can provide the appropriate diagnosis and level of care for any of your respiratory issues.

Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care now has five locations open in Carmel, Fishers, West Carmel/Zionsville, Westfield Hospital and Noblesville Hospital.