Shortness of breath, sometimes described as a feeling of tightness in the throat, limits a person’s daily activities and decreases his or her physical performance and capabilities. It can also be associated to a change of voice.
It is important to note that pre-existing asthma is a risk factor that may cause symptoms to persist for longer.
Investigations should also be carried out for cardiac, pulmonary and neurological symptoms, fatigue and symptoms of anxiety.
How do we test for it ?
Pulmonologists usually perform an assessment to identify the cause of the breathlessness, which may also be due to some sort of maladaptation to exertion, deconditioning or hyperventilation, especially in younger patients. Pulmonary function tests (which measure lung volume and rates of flow) and investigations for hyperventilation syndrome are recommended for children over 7 years of age if symptoms persist beyond 3 months or are severe. A cardiopulmonary stress test can also be done to distinguish between the various causes of breathlessness.
How is it treated ?
Respiratory therapy with education as well as diaphragmatic/cardiac coherence breathing exercises may be useful in the treatment of post-COVID breathlessness.
Treatment with inhalers or corticosteroids is indicated only in cases of underlying respiratory disease.
In case of changes in the voice, a treatment with a speech therapist may be indicated.
