3. Shortness of Breath: The Unseen Struggle in OHS
Breathing—so fundamental to life, yet we rarely give it a second thought. In OHS, however, shortness of breath becomes a disturbing preoccupation. It’s not about being out of breath after a strenuous workout; this is a continuous, unnerving sensation. Shortness of breath in OHS isn’t only experienced during exertion; it’s an unwelcome companion during times of rest as well.
So, why does this happen? The simple answer is the lungs’ impaired capacity to hold air. However, the physiological complexities run deeper. It relates to your diaphragm, the muscle that plays a starring role in the act of breathing. In OHS, this muscle is in a constant state of contraction, leading to fatigue and eventual inefficiency in its basic function—drawing air in and pushing it out.
This symptom can also usher in an unsettling feeling of anxiety. It’s like having an elephant sit on your chest, compressing your airways. The more you think about it, the worse it gets. That creeping anxiety can compound the problem, making each breath seem laborious, setting off a chain reaction that feeds into your stress levels.(3)
