Shortness of Breath: Causes, Chest Pain & Health Risks

What causes shortness of breath when walking, biking, or lying down? From low blood oxygen levels to vitamin insufficiencies, identifying the triggers for respiratory distress in teens and the elderly is essential.

Smoking & Shortness of Breath

Published Aug,14 2017 | By Assia M. Mortensen

Cigarettes contain more than 4,000 different chemicals, 50 of which are carcinogenic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. These chemicals cause both short-term and long-term damage to the body, especially the lungs. Some smokers experience shortness of breath due to lung damage.