The breathing process is controlled by the breathing center in the brain. The breathing center is extremely resistant to external influences and stops to function after all the other parts of the brain become unable to function. Breathing center keeps the breathing process independent of our conscious, that’s why we don’t have to think that we need to breathe and how exactly we need to breathe. Accordingly, the condition of our nervous system and emotional state is related directly to the breathing process.
The breathing process is very complicated and is performed through such organ as:
The upper airways (mouth, nose, throat)
The lower airways (trachea, bronchi)
Left and right lungs
Heart
Blood and vessels
Muscles
Brain and nervous system
The Relation Between Cerebral Shortness of Breath and Cerebral Pathologies - Neurosis
Given that the respiratory center is located in the brain, different pathological processes of the nervous system impact the breathing process differently. Dyspnea often occurs during stress, in cases of neuroticism, impairment of cerebral circulation, strokes, panic attacks, tumors, injuries, encephalitis. Usually, breathing disorders of cerebral genesis are accompanied by other symptoms - sensitive problems, pareses, heartbeat disorders, headaches, and dizzinesses.
During neurosis, hysteria, and stress, dyspnea occurs approximately in 3 out of 4 cases. Patients frequently may feel anxiety and fear of death. Panic attacks and anxiety are accompanied by dizziness, increased heartbeat, and tingling in the chest.
Sometimes dyspnea may resemble an asthma attack. However, despite the seeming feel of lack of air, the patient may not have objective signs of hypoxia. During sleep, the signs of dyspnea are absent in patients. Neuroticism is treated with sedatives - tranquilizes and antidepressants. Patients with neuroticism should normalize their routine, interlace their rest and physical activity, regulate sleep patterns, regularly visit a neurologist, and get rid of stresses and exhaustion.
Neurological Pathologies
The cause of shortness of breath may also be damage or inflammation of nerves responsible for the diaphragm function. This situation may occur in cases of osteochondrosis - an orthopedic disease in which degeneration of herniated discs occurs. In this case, the patient may feel acute pain, which increases during movement. Breathing may also be accompanied by pain.
The attack of radicular pain in the chest may often provoke a heart attack, especially in the cases of pain in the left side. The treatment of such condition includes physical therapy, consumption of anti-inflammatory medications and analgesics. Also, disorders of movement of the diaphragm muscles may be a sign of stroke, when the left or right half of the body is stricken.
Neuritis of the intercostal nerve may also be a symptom of shingles. In cases of shingles, the patient may feel pain during breathing. Another possible cause of nerve damage may be poliomyelitis.