Common Causes of Breathing Difficulty and Solutions

Tons of people suffer breathing difficulties while sleeping, which can impact sleep quality and even pose health risks. If you experience sudden shortness of breath, you should seek immediate medical attention; if you have chronic sleep-related breathing problems, such as sleep apnea, they can be managed and treated effectively. This article shares common causes of breathing difficulties and effective solutions with you. airway management products

Common Causes of Breathing Difficulty  

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)  

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder caused by the collapse or partial obstruction of the upper airway. Patients experience repeated episodes of breathing cessation during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and potential health complications such as hypoxemia, fatigue, and high blood pressure.  

2. Upper Airway Obstruction  

Structural abnormalities from the norm within the nasal depth, throat, or larynx can cause airway narrowing amid rest, confining the airflow. Common causes include:  

Nasal blockage or nasal polyps

Swelling of the nasal mucosa and increased discharges ruin the wind stream.

Broadened tonsils

Decreases space within the throat, making breathing troublesome.

Expansive tongue or delicate sense of taste unwinding

Increments the probability of aviation route hindrance amid rest.

Unfavorably susceptible or incessant rhinitis

Determined nasal blockage influences typical breathing.

3. Neuromuscular Diseases  

Certain neurological conditions, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease, can disable respiratory muscle work, expanding the chance of aviation route collapse and breathing troubles.

Nasopharyngeal Airway Management  

A nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) is one of the useful airway management products, embedded into the nasal entry to preserve an open airway. Made from delicate medical-grade silicone or PVC, the adjustable nasopharyngeal airway is becoming more widely utilized due to its preferences over conventional NPAs:

Flexible length for distinctive patients

Not at all like fixed-length NPAs, movable NPAs can be customized to fit the patient's life structures, guaranteeing superior airway patency and comfort.

Upgraded consolation

Made from delicate silicone, lessening nasal divider disturbance, appropriate for long-term use and sensitive people.

Flexible clinical applications

Utilized in domestic care, crisis circumstances, anesthesia administration, and ICU aviation route support.

Positive Airway Pressure Therapy (CPAP/BiPAP)  

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) are widely used for patients experiencing breathing difficulties due to OSA, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), neuromuscular diseases, and other conditions that lead to insufficient ventilation.  

Key Benefits  

• Keeps airways open: Prevents airway collapse with continuous or bilevel pressure, ensuring smooth breathing during sleep or rest.  

• Improves oxygenation: Enhances alveolar ventilation, increases blood oxygen saturation, and reduces the risk of hypoxemia.  

• Reduces apnea episodes: Effectively decreases the number of breathing interruptions in OSA patients, improving sleep quality.  

• Eases breathing effort: BiPAP reduces CO2 retention in COPD patients, improves lung function, and alleviates respiratory fatigue.  

• Suitable for long-term management: Can be used for home therapy, helping patients with chronic respiratory conditions maintain stable breathing function.  

Who Can Benefit?  

• OSA patients  

• COPD patients  

• Individuals with neuromuscular diseases affecting respiratory function  

• Patients with pulmonary hypertension or other conditions affecting breathing  

Oxygen Therapy  

Oxygen therapy involves delivering supplemental oxygen through nasal cannulas, masks, or high-flow devices to improve blood oxygen levels and alleviate hypoxemia. It is commonly used for COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, heart failure, and other conditions that cause oxygen deficiency.  

Key Benefits  

• Enhances oxygenation: Increases blood oxygen levels, relieving symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness.  

• Reduces heart strain: Prevents complications such as pulmonary hypertension and heart failure caused by prolonged low oxygen levels.  

• Improves exercise tolerance: Helps patients with chronic respiratory diseases maintain better physical activity.  

• Flexible application: Can be used at home, in hospitals, or emergency settings with adjustable oxygen delivery methods.  

Who Can Benefit?  

• COPD patients  

• Pulmonary hypertension patients  

• Patients with pulmonary fibrosis or interstitial lung disease  

• Individuals with severe heart failure-induced hypoxemia  

Bronchodilators  

Bronchodilators are medications that relieve airway constriction and improve lung ventilation. They are commonly used for asthma, COPD, and other conditions involving airway obstruction.  

Key Benefits  

• Rapid relief of breathing difficulty: Expands the bronchi, improves airflow, and quickly alleviates acute shortness of breath.  

• Long-term maintenance treatment: LABA and LAMA are used for chronic management in COPD and asthma patients.  

• Multiple administration options: Available as inhalers, nebulizers, or oral medications for convenient use.  

Who Can Benefit?  

• Asthma patients (for both acute attacks and long-term control)  

• COPD patients (for chronic management)  

• Individuals with bronchiectasis or other airway-narrowing conditions  

How to Choose the Right Treatment?  

Every patient’s condition is different, so treatment selection depends on a comprehensive assessment of medical history, symptom severity, pulmonary function tests, and other factors.  

• Airway management needs: Adjustable nasopharyngeal airways are suitable for patients requiring customized airway support, such as long-term bedridden individuals or those under anesthesia.  

• Acute airway obstruction or sudden breathing difficulties: Short-acting bronchodilators (SABA/SAMA) provide immediate relief.  

• COPD or chronic respiratory impairment: Long-acting bronchodilators (LABA/LAMA) combined with oxygen therapy or BiPAP may be more appropriate.  

• Sleep apnea or nighttime oxygen desaturation: CPAP or BiPAP devices help maintain airway patency and improve oxygenation.  

• Chronic hypoxemia: Continuous oxygen therapy (e.g., high-flow nasal cannula or portable oxygen concentrators) is necessary to maintain oxygen levels and prevent complications.  

Conclusion  

Breathing difficulties can result from various causes, doctors should choose the right treatment way according to the patient's specific condition. If you are looking for medical-grade nasopharyngeal airway products, Bever Medical offers a wide range of solutions to meet different patient needs, a single catheter or nasopharyngeal airway kit. Contact us today for more information on high-quality airway management solutions!