Reasons for fatigue andshortness of breathwhen climbing stairs
Have you experienced this several times after along walk,even during short stairs, you might find yourself breathless and unable to speak? It seems this problem occurs for everyone during simple activities, willingly or unwillingly. However, there are a few simple steps you can take to experience less shortness of breath and fatigue next time.
Why do I experience shortness of breath when climbing stairs, and what causes this?
What happens to you during stair climbing is “exercise intolerance.” When you attempt to climb stairs, you haven’t warmed up yet, and your muscles are cold,your heart rateis low, and your body isn’t ready for sudden movement. When you climb stairs, essentially you do a quickcardiovascular exercisethat causes your heart rate to spike, requiring your body to get more oxygen suddenly, leading to feelings of breathlessness and shortness of breath.
Another significant factor affecting you is muscle contractions like the gluteal muscles. As discussed earlier in health and wellness sections,SelMagzWe explained that with regular exercise you can strengthen these muscles, which tend to tighten during stair climbing without proper training, causing pain and excessive fatigue.
If you go to the gym regularly and exercise but still have issues with climbing stairs, don’t worry, because you can monitor your overall health by tracking your heart rate or other metrics like body composition and strength.
Whenshortness of breath when climbing stairsbecomes serious; when should you see a doctor?
The main reason related to your lungs and heart, especially if this sensation of breathlessness keeps recurring and you need a relatively long time to breathe normally after climbing stairs, you should be examined by a specialist doctor.
One of the main warning signs you should pay attention tochest painwhich occurs during breathlessness and fatigue, and may indicate heart disease or coronary artery blockage. If you have coronary artery disease, your doctor can perform testsstress teststhat can help address this issue.
Swelling of the ankles and feet orcoughing during stair climbing can be another sign of heart problems.Another reason to consult a doctor is when you become exhausted from basic daily activities like walking short distances or when exercise and training do not improve your condition. It may be time to seek advice from a doctor or physical therapist.
How can you stop these episodes of breathlessness when climbing stairs?
If your shortness of breath and fatigue during stair climbing worry you, there are steps you can try to reduce this problem. It is recommended to pause and warm up yourself briefly before climbing stairs. Here are some methods to help you prepare quickly, especially if your doctor has examined you and approved exercise.
Start by practicing exercises similar to stair climbing to help you improve your ability. To prepare your legs and glute muscles, do resistance exercises with body weight like squats and lunges gradually, to alleviate this problem over time.
If you smoke, it undoubtedly affects your fatigue. While electronic cigarettes are promoted as a healthier alternative, initial studies show their vapor can damage your lungs. Therefore, try to quit smoking to have a better day for walking and stair climbing.
Shortness of breath when climbing stairs