Yes, constant shortness of breath may be a symptom of diseases that affect lungs or the respiratory tract, such as influenza, cold, bronchitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, pulmonary emphysema, asthma, among others. In such cases, shortness of breath may accompany coughing.
Shortness of breath is characterized by respiratory distress or discomfort that creates the feeling that the person can not inhale the sufficient amount of air they need to breathe.
However, shortness of breath is not always a symptom of pulmonary or respiratory problems. There are several other causes, such as anxiety, heart disease (heart failure, high blood pressure), lack of fitness and even muscle weakness.
It is important to pay attention to some signs that may accompany shortness of breath as they may indicate more serious problems. The warning signs include: difficulty speaking, wheezing, neck strain to inhale, sleep interruption at night, fatigue when performing daily tasks, purple lips, coughing, wheezing, or chest pain.
In the presence of these signs, the person should seek a general practitioner or family physician for evaluation.
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