Struggling to breathe? Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments for shortness of breath . Find out when to seek medical help and how to manage it effectively. Dyspnea, or shortness of breath , is the feeling that you can’t get enough air into your lungs. Heart and lung conditions, anxiety and exercise can cause dyspnea. Shortness of breath , medically known as dyspnoea, is a common symptom with a wide range of underlying causes — from heart and lung conditions to anxiety and physical exertion. Understanding the causes, recognising the symptoms, and knowing when to seek help is essential for effective management. This article explores what shortness of breath is, its common causes, symptoms, and both medical and home-based remedies for relief. Shortness of breath can lead to hypoxemia or hypoxia (conditions related to low levels of oxygen in the blood). These conditions can cause a decrease in the level of consciousness followed by other severe health complications. If you have severe dyspnea and it stays for a significant period, you might be at risk of suffering permanent or temporary cognitive impairment.