Why Can’t I Breathe Well?

Breathing should be easy, but sometimes it feels hard. You might:

• Take short, fast breaths

• Feel like you can’t get enough air

• Make a whistling sound when you breathe

Here are some reasons why it might happen:

You might have trouble breathing if:

• You run a lot or get very excited

• You have a cold, cough, or allergies

• You have asthma

• Something makes you nervous or scared

• You don’t get enough iron in your food

When to Tell a Grown-Up?

Tell an adult if you:

• Can’t catch your breath

• Feel dizzy or really tired

• Have a tight chest

• Turn pale or blue around the lips

If it feels very bad, they will take you to a doctor!

How to help your breathing?

• Take slow, deep breaths

• Drink water

• If you have asthma, use your inhaler

• Rest when you’re tired

• Tell an adult if it happens a lot

Your lungs help you breathe about 20,000 times every day—take good care of them!