Manitoba researcher working to better understand breathlessness
Not being able to catch your breath can be a scary and isolating feeling. As we all experience breathlessness differently, it can be tough to understand and treat, researchers say.
This is why a Manitoba scientist is working to find out what the normal range is.
According to Yannick Molgat-Seon, an assistant professor of kinesiology and applied health at the University of Winnipeg, your body and mind play a role when it comes to the sensation of feeling out of breath.
"Let's say you have a 30-year-old who’s maybe outside running. They would experience breathlessness when they are at quite a high intensity, but for somebody that’s a bit older, it might be something they experience while they’re doing gardening or daily house chores,” he said.
Molgat-Seon is working to understand what the baseline level in healthy adults is for shortness of breath, which in medical terms is called dyspnea.
"We sort of need to understand the normal before we can start really appropriately treating and managing the abnormal,” Molgat-Seon said.
He's also working to explain how breathlessness is experienced differently between men and women, and said a similar sensation that's better understood is pain.
"A lot of research in the area of understanding the causes of pain has looked at sex and gender, whereas it hasn't really happened in dyspnea or shortness of breath, even though they are quite comparable sensations,” he said.
At the gym, Trish Roche can manage her breathing really well, but it wasn't always the case.
"It’s the reason I quit smoking actually because I noticed shortness of breath going up stairs, so that scared me into changing things,” she said.
That was six years ago now, and she said she hasn't really worried about breathing since.
Molgat-Seon recently received a grant from the Manitoba Medical Service Foundation for his research.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 'Numerous' officers shot in 'active situation' in Charlotte, North Carolina, police say
'Numerous law enforcement officers' have been shot in an 'active situation' in Charlotte, North Carolina, police say.
Toronto police arrest 12 people, lay 102 charges in major credit card fraud scheme
Toronto police say 12 people are facing a combined 102 charges in connection with an investigation into a major credit fraud scheme.
Singh still not ready to say if NDP will back budget, holding out for 'clarity' on disability benefit
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he's still not ready to say whether his caucus will support the federal budget, citing a need for further 'clarity' over whether the Liberals intend to address concerns surrounding the Canada Disability Benefit program.
B.C. premier says Vancouver speech praising Hamas attack was 'most hateful' he can imagine
B.C. Premier David Eby has joined other politicians denouncing remarks at a demonstration in Vancouver where protesters chanted “long live Oct. 7,” praising that day's attacks by Hamas on Israel.
Norovirus spreading at 'higher frequency' than expected in Canada
Norovirus is spreading at a 'higher frequency' than expected in Canada, specifically, in Ontario and Alberta, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
In a world first, king-size cigarettes in Canada must feature one of these warnings starting Tuesday
Tobacco manufacturers have until Tuesday to ensure every king-size cigarette produced for sale in Canada has a health warning printed directly on it.
'Shocked and concerned': Calgary principal charged with possession of child pornography
A Calgary elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Monday.
Less alcohol, or none at all, is one path to better health
Moderate drinking was once thought to have benefits for the heart, but better research methods have thrown cold water on that.
International students will be allowed to work 24 hours a week starting in September
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says international students will be able to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week starting in September.