Breathing issues are some of the most critical and urgent medical emergencies. Your brain and heart need a constant flow of oxygen to perform their usual functions, and even a temporary inability to breathe can have major consequences. While this doesn’t mean that all breathing issues require an immediate trip to the ER, knowing how to tell the difference between mild symptoms and severe ones can make a world of difference in an emergency situation.
This guide aims to help you understand which breathing-related symptoms should prompt you to seek emergency medical help, what to expect once you get to the ER and where to find your nearest Baylor Scott & White Emergency Hospital location in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
When Breathing Problems Become Medical Emergencies
Breathing issues are frightening. Since we tend to take the ability to breathe for granted, even a minor problem can catch us off guard, especially if it’s not clear whether it’s from an allergy, an infection, asthma or something else. While mild symptoms may improve by themselves or with standard treatments, more severe symptoms need emergency medical care.
Mild symptoms that indicate a breathing issue that you shouldn’t neglect but that isn’t necessarily an emergency include:
- You have mild wheezing.
- You’re coughing for no obvious reason.
- You get a feeling of tightness in your chest area.
- You feel short of breath, but it gets better after you rest for a while.
While many people experience these mild symptoms once in a while, you should seek emergency medical care if they occur suddenly or quickly get worse.
Some clear signs that you’re having a major breathing problem and should get emergency medical help right away include:
- You’re so short of breath that it’s a major effort just to talk.
- You’re experiencing rapid, difficult or unusually shallow breathing, as your body’s struggling to get the oxygen it needs from the air and expel the carbon dioxide effectively.
- You’re finding it hard to breathe even when standing still or resting.
- Your lips, face or fingertips have a bluish or gray discoloration.
- You experience sudden psychological symptoms, such as a state of confusion or agitation, for no apparent reason.
- You’re close to losing consciousness.
- You have a history of mild and manageable breathing problems but they suddenly get worse even though you’ve taken your prescribed medications.
Regardless of the underlying cause for your major breathing problem, it’s vital to get evaluated by an emergency physician as soon as possible.
Asthma Attack Symptoms That Need ER Care
Asthma is a chronic breathing issue that manifests through swelling of the airways and tightening of the muscles surrounding them. This narrows the airways, making it more difficult to breathe. Although asthma can’t yet be cured, it can be kept under control. However, if it isn’t properly controlled, it can quickly become an emergency medical situation.
While many asthma attacks can be resolved with an emergency inhaler, some require emergency care. Knowing when to go to the ER for asthma can help ensure you get the prompt medical treatment you need. Go to the ER as quickly as possible if you encounter any of these symptoms:
- You’re making a strong wheezing sound while you breathe and are coughing persistently.
- You’re finding it very difficult to breathe normally.
- You can’t speak more than a few words at a time before gasping for air.
- You feel a tightness in your chest that gradually gets worse.
- Your rescue inhaler helps very little or not at all.
- Your regular asthma medicine doesn’t improve your symptoms.
Severe asthma attacks can become life-threatening and may lead to respiratory failure without prompt medical treatment.
Critical Warning Signs of Low Oxygen
The main consequence of breathing problems is not getting enough oxygen to feed your vital organs. Some clear signs that your body is low on oxygen include:
- Your lips, tongue or fingernails turn blue or gray.
- You experience shortness of breath even when you rest.
- You experience a sudden state of confusion or other behavioral changes.
- You feel extremely tired for no apparent reason.
- You can’t walk or talk because of your breathing issue.
- Your heart beats unusually fast even when resting.
- You feel pressure in your chest area.
- You’re suffering from asthma, chronic lung issues, pneumonia, flu or heart disease and experience mild symptoms that quickly get worse.
What To Expect in the ER for Breathing Problems
If your breathing problems lead you to the ER at Baylor Scott & White Emergency Hospitals, our medical team will stabilize your condition and try to diagnose the cause. They’ll check your oxygen levels, evaluate your breathing, heart rate and other vital signs. Depending on the cause, treatment may include oxygen therapy, inhaled bronchodilators, medications to reduce airway inflammation, IV fluids or other supportive care.
If the medical team suspects an issue such as infection, heart strain or anemia, they may order blood tests. Depending on what the physicians suspect may be the cause, some imaging tests may be required. Once your breathing improves, they’ll either discharge you, keep you for further observation or transfer you to a specialized unit.
Baylor Scott & White Emergency Hospital Locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area, it may help to know that there’s a Baylor Scott & White Emergency Hospital location near you. We’re located in Aubrey, Burleson, Colleyville, Grand Prairie, Keller, Mansfield, Murphy and Rockwall.
If you’re experiencing severe breathing difficulties, it’s best to call 911. Emergency paramedics can help restore your oxygen supply before you reach the hospital.
Get Emergency Care for Asthma and Breathing Problems in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
Few health issues are more urgent than breathing difficulties. Every moment counts, so if you’re experiencing any of the severe symptoms mentioned in this guide, you should call 911 or go to the nearest ER. Baylor Scott & White Emergency Hospitals provide quality treatment in emergency situations. Call us to learn more about our services.