Common Causes of Difficulty Breathing

2. Deconditioning

Deconditioning occurs when someone has a lower-than-expected limit to physical activity. People who have difficulty breathing when they exert themselves may be experiencing deconditioning. Sometimes, this term refers to an athlete who is out of practice and performing less proficiently than they once did.

Deconditioning is also common in people recovering from a long illness or bed rest or those with a sedentary lifestyle. In these cases, they may experience difficulty breathing when getting up from a seated position or walking up stairs.