It feels hard to breathe because of a symptom called dyspnea, which can be caused by many different conditions affecting the lungs, heart, or other parts of the body involved in breathing and oxygen delivery. Common causes include lung diseases (such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia), heart conditions (such as heart failure or heart attack), airway blockages, anxiety, infections, and physical exertion. Sometimes environmental factors like high altitude, poor air quality, or obesity also contribute to this sensation. The feeling arises when the body is not getting enough oxygen or is retaining too much carbon dioxide, causing the brain to signal the need for increased breathing effort.
Sudden difficulty in breathing could indicate urgent conditions like allergic reactions, pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs), or heart attacks, requiring immediate medical attention. Chronic breathing difficulty might be related to ongoing health issues such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or heart disease.
Other factors such as anxiety and panic attacks, physical obstruction (choking), and obesity can also make breathing feel hard, and addressing these underlying factors is important for relief.
In summary, the sensation of hard or difficult breathing occurs due to various causes mainly involving the lungs and heart, requiring proper diagnosis and treatment based on the underlying condition.