Shortness of breath may be nothing to worry about when it is mild, temporary, and has an obvious explanation, such as physical exertion. If you experience sudden, intense, prolonged, or unexplained difficulty breathing, however, it is important to seek immediate help. At MedNorth Urgent Care in Kalispell, MT, experienced providers Dr. Shane Hill and Dr. Scott Rundle provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for a wide array of breathing problems and associated conditions to help patients feel better faster and avoid more serious complications. Keep reading to learn more about what your breathing troubles may mean and when it is appropriate to visit your nearest urgent care.
Potential causes of difficulty breathing
There are a number of reasons why you may experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, many of which are relatively harmless. For example, strenuous exercise or increased stress may cause you to feel temporarily short of breath. However, there are also several serious and even potentially life-threatening causes of difficulty breathing, including:
- Heart attack
- Asthma attack
- Severe allergic reaction
- Blood clot
- Pneumonia
When patients seek immediate evaluation and treatment for shortness of breath associated with the above conditions, their chances of a complete recovery are much greater.
When should I go to the ER for shortness of breath?
Anytime you feel concerned or uncomfortable about your ability to breathe, you should be evaluated at your nearest urgent care or ER. Additionally, if your shortness of breath is accompanied by other symptoms, immediate evaluation and treatment are warranted. If you are experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms along with your shortness of breath, head to MedNorth Urgent Care for rapid evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment with Dr. Hill or Dr. Rundle:
- Chest pain
- Rapid heart rate
- Coughing
- Blood with coughing
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Purple or blue skin
- Hives/rash
- Constricted airway
- Sweating
- Difficulty swallowing
What should I do if my child is complaining of shortness of breath?
As parents and caregivers, it can be difficult to know when your child’s symptoms are serious enough to warrant an urgent care visit. Because difficulty breathing in children can be a sign of a more severe issue, the safest thing to do is have your child evaluated. If he or she is displaying additional signs and symptoms alongside shortness of breath, such as wheezing, coughing, fever, visible ribs when breathing, chest pain, and others, visit your nearest ER or urgent care right away.
Don’t leave your health up to chance; visit your nearest Kalispell, MT urgent care for shortness of breath right away
If you or one of your family members notices the sudden onset of difficulty breathing, try to remain calm. In most cases, temporary shortness of breath resolves on its own and is nothing to worry about. However, if you feel short of breath and have additional symptoms, or if your shortness of breath is sudden, intense, prolonged, or concerning in any way, it is important to visit your nearest ER or urgent care as soon as possible. At MedNorth Urgent Care, Dr. Shane Hill and Dr. Scott Rundle are committed to providing the highest level of care and treatment available in Kalispell, MT to keep you and your loved ones healthy. Don’t delay; visit us now for your shortness of breath to get the peace of mind you deserve.