8 Home Treatments for Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea)

What causes shortness of breath?

Sometimes, breathlessness starts suddenly. In this case, it could quickly become a medical emergency that needs urgent attention. Possible causes include:

• carbon monoxide poisoning
• heart attack
• an asthma attack
• an allergic reaction
• a blood clot in the lungs, known as a pulmonary embolism

Shortness of breath can have other causes. These may include:

• lung conditions like pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, or COVID-19
• intense exercise
• changes in temperature, for example, going from a warm room to the cold outdoors
• anxiety, panic, or severe stress
• high levels of air pollution
• high altitude
• obesity
• cancer that affects the lungs
• cancer treatment, like chemotherapy

If a medical emergency doesn’t cause your shortness of breath, you could try home treatments that may help your symptoms. Many simply involve changing position, which can help relax your body and airways.

Home treatments

Here are nine home treatments that may help with shortness of breath:

Pursed-lip breathing

Pursed-lip breathing can help with shortness of breath due to panic, COPD, or hyperventilation. It helps quickly slow your pace of breathing, making each breath deeper and more effective.

But if you’re very short of breath after exercising, you should seek medical help.

Pursed breathing helps empty the lungs of dead space air that occurs in COPD and releases trapped air. You can use it any time you’re experiencing shortness of breath, especially during the difficult part of an activity, like bending, lifting objects, or climbing stairs.

To perform pursed lip breathing:

1. Relax your neck and shoulder muscles.
2. Slowly breathe in through your nose for two counts, keeping your mouth closed.
3. Purse your lips as if you’re about to whistle.
4. Breathe out slowly and gently through your pursed lips to the count of four.

Sitting forward

Resting while sitting can help relax your body and make breathing easier.

1. Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor, leaning your chest slightly forward.
2. Gently rest your elbows on your knees or hold your chin with your hands. Remember to keep your neck and shoulder muscles relaxed.

This position is a form of “tripod stance,” which aims to create more space in the chest cavity for the lungs. It’s helpful if you have COPD, and you may find you do it without thinking about it. It’s not suitable for people with high levels of obesity.

Sitting forward supported by a table

If you have a chair and a table, you may find this a slightly more comfortable sitting position to catch your breath.

1. Sit in a chair facing a table with your feet flat on the floor.
2. Lean your chest slightly forward and rest your arms on the table.
3. Rest your head on your forearms or a pillow.

This position is another form of tripod breathing, which creates more space for the lungs in the chest.

Standing with supported back

Standing can also help relax your body and airways.

1. Stand near a wall, facing away, and rest your hips on the wall.
2. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and rest your hands on your thighs.
3. With your shoulders relaxed, lean slightly forward and dangle your arms in front of you.

As with other forms of tripod breathing mentioned above, this position makes more space in the chest for your lungs.

Standing with supported arms

1. Stand near a table or other flat, sturdy piece of furniture just below your shoulder’s height.
2. Rest your elbows or hands on the piece of furniture, keeping your neck relaxed.
3. Rest your head on your forearms and relax your shoulders.

In the classic “tripod” position, you can do this by placing a cane on the floor in front of you and leaning on it with both hands.

Sleeping in a relaxed position

People with sleep apnea experience shortness of breath while they sleep. This can lead to frequent waking up, diminishing the quality and duration of sleep.

Try lying on your side with a pillow between your legs and your head elevated by pillows, keeping your back straight.

Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnea can help you learn positions that help your body and airways relax, making breathing easier. Have your doctor assess you for sleep apnea and, if recommended, use a CPAP machine.

Diaphragmatic breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing can also help manage shortness of breath.

To try this breathing style:

1. Sit in a chair with bent knees and relaxed shoulders, head, and neck.
2. Place your hand on your belly.
3. Breathe in slowly through your nose. You should feel your belly moving under your hand.
4. As you exhale, tighten your muscles. You should feel your belly fall inward. Breathe out through your mouth with pursed lips.
5. Put more emphasis on the exhale than the inhale. Keep exhaling for longer than usual before slowly inhaling again.
6. Repeat for about 5 minutes.

A 2019 study found that combining these breathing strategies helped expand chest volume in people with COPD and reduced the number of breaths they needed to take.

Using a fan

Various experts recommend using a fan to blow cool air and help relieve shortness of breath, and some research supports this. Pointing a small handheld fan toward your face may help your symptoms.

Findings published in 2018 found using a fan helped people who had difficulty breathing due to late-stage cancer.

Lifestyle changes to treat shortness of breath

If you know why you have difficulty breathing and your symptoms are mild, you may be able to take steps to relieve it at home.

Lifestyle changes you can make to help keep shortness of breath at bay include:

• quitting smoking, if you smoke, and avoiding tobacco smoke
• avoiding exposure to pollutants, allergens, and environmental toxins
• managing body weight
• avoiding exertion at high elevations
• staying healthy through dietary choices, exercise, and getting enough sleep
• seeing a doctor for any underlying medical issues
• getting vaccinations to prevent flu, COVID-19, and other diseases
• following the recommended treatment plan for any underlying illness like asthma, COPD, or bronchitis

Remember, only a doctor can properly diagnose the cause of your shortness of breath.

Other treatments

If you talk with a doctor about shortness of breath, they typically test you for underlying health conditions that may be causing the problem. If they identify a specific cause, they can recommend suitable treatment.

Medications for shortness of breath

Medications for breathlessness include:

• inhaled medications that help open the airways
• drugs to treat specific conditions
• pills or liquids to help reduce sputum and clear the lungs
• drugs to manage allergies
• treatment for a heart condition

Pulmonary rehabilitation

Some people with lung conditions may benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation, a form of therapy in which a therapist teaches them how to manage breathlessness. Therapists can also advise on lifestyle choices like boosting fitness levels and quitting smoking, if appropriate.

Pulmonary rehabilitation can help you manage your breathing and may improve your overall well-being and quality of life.

Counseling

Counseling like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) might be suitable for some people with shortness of breath.

You might benefit from this approach if you:

• have a chronic lung disease that is causing your stress or anxiety
• have depression alongside or because of another condition
• have a panic or anxiety disorder
• wish to stop using tobacco but are finding it hard

CBT can help you find new ways to face stressful situations like breathlessness. This type of therapy can also help address some factors that cause or worsen breathlessness. A doctor might recommend it alongside pulmonary rehabilitation.

Oxygen

People with severe breathing problems may need oxygen. Doctors can provide oxygen in the hospital, but some people use it at home. Never use oxygen at home unless a doctor advises it, and always follow the instructions when doing so.

When to see a doctor

Call 911 or go directly to the emergency room if you:

• suddenly or unexpectedly find it hard to breathe without knowing why
• have trouble breathing and feel like something is stuck in your throat
• don’t feel an improvement in your breathing after the problem starts
• have chest pain or another symptom

You should make an appointment to talk with your doctor if you:

• experience frequent or continued shortness of breath
• are awakened at night because you’re having trouble breathing
• experience wheezing (making a whistling sound when you breathe) or tightness in your throat

If you’re concerned about your shortness of breath and don’t have a primary care professional, the Healthline FindCare tool allows you to view doctors in your area.

You should also see your doctor if shortness of breath is accompanied by:

• swollen feet and ankles
• difficulty breathing while lying flat
• a fever with chills and a cough
• wheezing
• feeling faint or like you are going to pass out

Studies suggest some people are less willing to seek help. Those who use tobacco, for example, may feel it’s their fault and don’t want to bother others. But, experts insist that anyone with concerns about their breathing should seek help.

A doctor can help you find ways of relieving breathlessness. If they identify an underlying cause, they can provide appropriate treatment.

Summary

Breathlessness can occur for many reasons, and relieving it may depend on the underlying cause. Home remedies, like deep breathing, using a hand fan, or changing position, can often help you regain your breath.

However, shortness of breath can also indicate a more serious condition. If the problem persists or you have other symptoms, consider seeing a doctor. They can help you find relief and may suggest treatment for an underlying health condition.