Causes and Home Remedies for Shortness of Breath

Introduction

Dyspnoea, commonly referred as shortness of breath or the sensation of suffocation, is a distressing clinical symptom that may arise from various underlying causes. While often associated with respiratory conditions, it can also be triggered or worsened by psychological factors such as acute anxiety or panic. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened public awareness of dyspnoea due to its potential association with viral respiratory infections. Although not all cases of dyspnoea are indicative of COVID-19 or other infectious diseases, the presence of such symptoms warrants careful evaluation and appropriate medical attention. 

Some people may experience shortness of breath as an acute episode, that is, for a short period. While, others may feel it over the long term as a chronic issue which lasts for several weeks or more. Dyspnoea may occur even after climbing a few sets of stairs or along with common illnesses like a cold¹. 

Causes and Triggering Factors of Shortness of Breath

Dyspnoea can be caused by a wide spectrum of medical conditions, environmental exposures, and physiological factors, which include²:  

• Respiratory infections (bacterial, viral, and fungal) 
• Exposure to cold air, pollen grains, dust 
• Strenuous exercise 
• High altitude 
• Obesity 
• Respiratory diseases (Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pleural effusion, pneumonia, lung cancer, etc.) 
• Heart diseases (Heart failure, heart attack, excess fluid around the heart) 
• Anaphylaxis 
• Anaemia 
• Anxiety 

Home Remedies for Shortness of Breath

In cases where dyspnoea is mild and not indicative of an acute or life-threatening condition, certain supportive measures may be done at home to alleviate symptoms. 

1. Sitting Forward

Leaning forward while sitting may help reduce the effort for breathing and relax the body. This position releases pressure over the lungs and heart³.  

When experiencing breathlessness, try sitting on a chair with your feet flat on the floor and lean your chest slightly forward. Ensure to keep your shoulder and neck muscles relaxed, as this can help reduce respiratory strain and promote more effective breathing. 

2. Deep Breathing

Breathing deeply by using your abdominal muscles may help to manage breathlessness. Lie on your back on a flat surface and place your hands on your abdomen. Inhale deeply through your nose, letting your abdomen rise as your lungs expand with air. Hold the breath briefly, then exhale slowly. You may also find diaphragmatic (belly) breathing helpful as part of this exercise⁴. 

3. Pursed Lip Breathing

This is one of the simplest breathing exercises, and it can help to slow your breathing rate effectively. It may be particularly beneficial when shortness of breath is related to anxiety⁵.  

Begin by relaxing the muscles in your neck and shoulders. Next, inhale slowly through your nose for a count of two, keeping your mouth closed. Purse your lips as if preparing to whistle, then exhale gently and slowly through your pursed lips for a count of four. 

4. Sleeping in a Relaxed Position

Many individuals may experience shortness of breath while lying flat during sleep. In such cases, you need to sleep in a propped position as it helps relax the body and airways⁶. 

5. Steam Inhalation

Sometimes breathlessness may be caused due to the accumulation of thick mucus in the airways which obstructs breathing. Steam inhalation may liquefy the thick mucus and help ease the breathlessness⁷.  

6. Black Coffee 

Drinking black coffee may reduce breathlessness due to the presence of caffeine in it. Caffeine works as a relaxant to the airway muscles. A study⁸ result suggests that caffeine may slightly improve breathlessness in individuals with asthma.    

7. Ginger 

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce lung inflammation. Drinking warm ginger tea or ginger-infused water may provide a soothing effect and support breathing⁹.  

8. Turmeric

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that may help with infections. Turmeric milk has traditionally been consumed during episodes of respiratory discomfort since childhood in many households. Turmeric contains curcumin, its active component, which has properties that may help reduce allergic responses and inhibit the release of histamine. These effects may contribute to easing symptoms such as breathlessness.  

According to a study¹⁰, curcumin may reduce the intensity of an asthmatic attack and its episodes in an asthmatic patient. 

9. Onion 

Onions are a natural source of quercetin, a plant-derived compound known for its antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Quercetin may help reduce the release of substances involved in allergic responses, potentially supporting respiratory comfort. Onions also contain sulphur compounds, which have been traditionally associated with general respiratory health¹¹. 

As part of traditional home practices, some individuals choose to consume a mixture of grated onion and honey, while others place a cut onion by the bedside, believing it may help create a more comfortable breathing environment. These practices should be regarded as supportive and not as a substitute for medical treatment. 

10. Omega-3 Fatty Acids 

 Omega-3 fatty acid foods such as fish (salmon and tuna) may help with breathlessness as they help prevent inflammatory conditions that could cause shortness of breath¹². 

Shortness of breath is a potentially serious clinical symptom and a person should always visit their physician at the earliest, as shortness of breath can be life-threatening; a timely intervention by a physician can avert severe morbidity or mortality. 

Dr. Nikhil Yadav , MBBS MD CCEBDM

Lifestyle Changes to Avoid Shortness of Breath

To reduce the risk of experiencing shortness of breath, it is advisable to adopt certain lifestyle changes proactively. These steps may help maintain overall respiratory health and prevent future difficulties^1,6: 

• Manage your body weight 
• Quit smoking and avoid exposure to tobacco smoke 
• Minimise exposure to air pollutants and environmental toxins 
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep 
• Visit a doctor for regular check-ups to identify and manage any underlying issues 

Shortness of breath can result from conditions affecting the lungs or heart and it is critical not to ignore this symptom. Seeking a physician’s advice for clinical examination is necessary to determine the underlying cause of the problem, as treatment options will depend entirely on the diagnosis. 

Dr. Arpit Verma , MBBS MD (Pharmacology)

When to Visit a Doctor

There are several reasons that may cause shortness of breath and it is advised to visit a doctor whenever you experience the following symptoms^1,6:

• Frequent or persistent episodes of shortness of breath 
• Wheezing while breathing 
• A sensation of tightness in the throat 
• Difficulty sleeping at night because of breathing issues 

Also Read: Pneumococcal Vaccine: Types, Side Effects, and Who Needs It

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Shortness of breath. nidirect [Internet]. Northern Ireland Direct Government Services; [cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/shortness-breath 

2. Hashmi MF, Modi P, Basit H, et al. Dyspnea [Internet]. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan; [updated 2023 Feb 19; cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499965/ 

3. ​Palliative care – shortness of breath. MedlinePlus [Internet]. U.S. National Library of Medicine; [updated 2024 Feb 3; cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000471.htm 

4. Bentley TGK, D’Andrea-Penna G, Rakic M, Arce N, LaFaille M, Berman R, Cooley K, Sprimont P. Breathing Practices for Stress and Anxiety Reduction: Conceptual Framework of Implementation Guidelines Based on a Systematic Review of the Published Literature. Brain Sci. 2023 Nov 21;13(12):1612. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10741869/ 

5. Nguyen JD, Duong H. Pursed-lip breathing [Internet]. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan; [updated 2025 Jan 25; cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545289/ 

6. Shortness of breath. Healthdirect Australia [Internet]. Healthdirect Australia; [cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/shortness-of-breath 

7. Ophir D, Elad Y. Effects of steam inhalation on nasal patency and nasal symptoms in patients with the common cold. Am J Otolaryngol. 1987 May-Jun;8(3):149-53. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0196070987800376?via%3Dihub 

8. Welsh EJ, Bara A, Barley E, Cates CJ. Caffeine for asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Jan 20;2010(1):CD001112. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7053252/ 

9. Yocum GT, Hwang JJ, Mikami M, Danielsson J, Kuforiji AS, Emala CW. Ginger and its bioactive component 6-shogaol mitigate lung inflammation in a murine asthma model. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2020 Feb 1;318(2):L296-L303. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7052664/ 

10. Zhu T, Chen Z, Chen G, Wang D, Tang S, Deng H, Wang J, Li S, Lan J, Tong J, Li H, Deng X, Zhang W, Sun J, Tu Y, Luo W, Li C. Curcumin Attenuates Asthmatic Airway Inflammation and Mucus Hypersecretion Involving a PPARγ-Dependent NF-κB Signaling Pathway In Vivo and In Vitro. Mediators Inflamm. 2019 Apr 3;2019:4927430. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6470457/ 

11. Beigoli S, Behrouz S, Memar Zia A, Ghasemi SZ, Boskabady M, Marefati N, Kianian F, Khazdair MR, El-Seedi H, Boskabady MH. Effects of Allium cepa and Its Constituents on Respiratory and Allergic Disorders: A Comprehensive Review of Experimental and Clinical Evidence. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2021 Sep 11;2021:5554259. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8452398/ 

12. Patchen BK, Balte P, Bartz TM, Barr RG, Fornage M, Graff M, Jacobs DR Jr, Kalhan R, Lemaitre RN, O’Connor G, Psaty B, Seo J, Tsai MY, Wood AC, Xu H, Zhang J, Gharib SA, Manichaikul A, North K, Steffen LM, Dupuis J, Oelsner E, Hancock DB, Cassano PA. Investigating Associations of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Lung Function Decline, and Airway Obstruction. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2023 Oct 15;208(8):846-857. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12042777/ 

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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