Why Do I Breathe So Loud?

If you notice that you often breathe louder than others, it can cause you to be alarmed.

Why do I breathe so loud? Loud breathing could be caused forced or fast breathing. Although this is common for people who just finished engaging in a physical activity, it can also be because you are not getting enough air into your system. This could be caused by too much stress, an imbalance in your body, or a possible illness.

As you read further, you’ll understand the possible causes of your loud or heavy breathing. You’ll also see the potential risks brought about by these symptoms.

Top Causes of Loud or Heavy Breathing

Here are the biggest reasons why your breathing is louder or heavier than that of other people:

Physical activity

Any form of exercise or physical activity would mean that your organs need an even greater supply of oxygen. This means that the lungs would have to supply more oxygen an the heart would have to work on pumping even more blood. This results in louder and heavier breathing.

It can get even worse for people who do not regularly exercise. Even the mildest physical exertion can cause heavy breathing right away.

Note that this should only happen for a few minutes after your physical activity is over. If your breathing is still heavy over 10 minutes after your physical activity, then it is best to have yourself checked as it could be a bigger problem.

Overheating of the body

When your body heats up, your metabolism also speeds up. This means that your body’s going to need even more oxygen. By breathing heavily, not only can you get more oxygen into your body quickly, you can also help your body cool off.

The same thing happens when you have a fever.

Of course, if your loud or heavy breathing persists and is also accompanied by other symptoms like dizziness, then it might be a more serious condition that requires medical support.

Infections and other illnesses

Infections can also make it harder for you to breathe, so it’s something you should check for. Don’t worry, these infections tend to be minor. However, if you’re also experiencing extremely high fever with it, then you may want to have yourself checked.

Note that some of these infections that cause you to breathe loudly or heavily are contagious. This is why it’s important to immediately have yourself checked.

Here are just some forms of infections and illnesses that could be causing your loud breathing:

bronchitis
colds
influenza
pneumonia
sinus infection

You may watch out for other symptoms, but it is usually best not to wait for your condition to worsen before getting yourself checked.

Cardiovascular issues

Cardiovascular issues can cause you to have shortness of breath, making your breathing a bit louder than usual. These issues are causing your heart to pump less than enough oxygen-filled blood into the entire body, and your body tries to make up for it by making you breathe faster and more deliberately.

These cardiovascular issues may be caused by the following aspects:

a heart attack
a heart infection
a blood clot in your lungs
hypertension
anemia
sepsis
pregnancy
malfunctioning thyroid
loss of blood or fluids
lower or higher than usual heart rates
alcohol and/or drug abuse
obstructive sleep apnea
high blood pressure inside the lungs
arterio-venous malformations
cirrhosis

Respiratory issues

Your respiratory system controls your body’s oxygen intake, so it’s not at all surprising that your loud breathing could be a sign of a respiratory issue. There could be something obstructing your airways, for example. Or there could be a foreign object that could have gotten into your lungs for some reason.

Be especially alert if your heavy breathing is also accompanied by the following symptoms:

fever
wheezing
dizziness
a burning sensation around the throat or chest area
a rattling sensation around the throat or chest area
a scraping feeling around the back of the mouth or throat area

Your lungs and heart also work together in sending blood throughout your entire body. So if heart issues could be causing your loud breathing, it wouldn’t be surprising to know that your lungs could be contributing to the problem as well.

This loud breathing could be accompanied by weakness, confusion, or a rapid heart rate. In this case, make sure you seek emergency assistance as soon as possible.

Possible illnesses related to a weak or malfunctioning lung would be:

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
lung cancer
lung infection
pulmonary embolism

Anxiety

In the event of an anxiety attack, one’s breathing could become more troubled, and therefore, louder. The problem is, the more irregular your breathing gets, the worse your anxiety also becomes. It then becomes a vicious cycle until the anxiety attack subsides.

The heavy breathing that comes with anxiety attacks are also characterized by these symptoms:

rapid heart rate
dizziness
fainting due to hyperventilation
panic attacks

It is often difficult to differentiate anxiety attacks from cardiovascular issues, so try to find a quiet place and breathe in and out through the stomach a few times. If the symptoms do not go away, then have yourself checked right away.

Dehydration

When your body is dehydrated, every cell in your body starts to struggle to get the energy that they need to work properly. This causes your body to breathe more heavily than usual.

If you think that dehydration is the reason why your breathing is suddenly louder than usual, drink a glass of water, then take some deep breaths. Stay in a cool place and avoid any form of heat for a couple of hours. If this is not enough and you still continue to show signs of dehydration, then you may need more serious medical attention.

Note that if the person experiencing dehydration is a child or a pregnant woman, then they would need immediate medical care.

Allergies

Allergies can make your nasal cavity and your airways swell up, constricting the amount of air that passes through them. This will require more effort for you to breathe properly, therefore making your breathing louder.

Allergies can be caused by anything from pollen to dust. This will usually come with the following symptoms:

wheezing
burning sensation in the throat or lungs
itchy skin
watery eyes

Try to pinpoint potential allergens in the room and in your general living area and get rid of them. If your symptoms worsen, check into the emergency room before your breathing becomes more constrained.

Asthma

Asthma is another condition that could cause heavy breathing. Basically, an asthma attack means that your bronchial tubes are swollen, making it harder for your lungs to bring air into and take air out of it.

An asthma attack can come with a number of different symptoms like panic, dizziness, and a burning sensation.

Asthma usually starts at a young age and develops through time. An attack can be triggered by a number of different things, like fatigue, stress, pollution, allergens, and strong smells.