Breathing Problem, also known as dyspnea, refers to an uncomfortable feeling of not getting enough air, chest tightness, or gasping for breath. According to a research study by Kochovska et al. (2024), low- and middle-income countries have the highest global burden of diseases associated with breathlessness. India is a major example of this health burden, where an estimated 626 million people are living with breathlessness of some intensity (Clark et al., 2024). To address this health crisis locally, Dr. Abhishek Bali (MBBS, MD in Respiratory Medicine) offers the best breathing problem treatment in Siliguri.
Years of Hospital affiliations Experience
Number of patient
Successful Recoveries
Academic Achievement: He performed the first-ever Medical Pleuroscopy in North Bengal and Sikkim, and he is currently the Head of the Pulmonology Department at Maxwell Hospital & Research Centre.
Dr. Abhishek Bali is a renowned pulmonologist with a specialization in managing both common and complex lung disorders. He focuses on using state-of-the-art infrastructure to identify the root cause of breathlessness. Here are the top reasons to choose him for the treatment of breathing problems in Siliguri:
He has an excellent track record of successfully treating more than 1000 patients in the North Bengal region. Regardless of the type of pulmonary conditions causing breathlessness, he focuses on accurate diagnosis and precise treatment.
He is an active member of the American College of Chest Physicians, European Respiratory Society, Indian Chest Society, Indian Association of Bronchology, and Association of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine.
He specializes in treating a broad range of breathing disorders, including chronic asthma, severe COPD, lung infections, sleep apnea, and pulmonary fibrosis. All these conditions tend to cause shortness of breath.
He is the lead Pulmonology Consultant at Maxwell Hospital, which has advanced diagnostic facilities and modern ICU facilities.
He has received specialized training in Interventional Pulmonology, Medical Pleuroscopy, and Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS).
Breathing problems refer to difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, or the sensation of not getting enough air. They may develop suddenly or gradually and can result from conditions affecting the lungs, heart, airways, or blood circulation. While occasional breathlessness may occur during intense physical activity, persistent breathing difficulty requires medical evaluation to identify and treat the underlying cause.
Breathing problems or shortness of breath is not a disease but rather a symptom of underlying conditions affecting the heart, lungs, and blood circulation. When the heart, lungs, or blood do not receive the required oxygen, the body triggers a sensation of breathlessness to demand more oxygen.
Here are the common causes of breathing problems:
Long-term lung damage caused by COPD causes progressive breathing problems.
Chronic inflammation in the airways leads to narrowing of the breathing passages.
A blood clot travelling into the arteries of the lungs leads to restricted oxygen exchange.
Infections, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and bronchitis, cause breathlessness by triggering inflammation in the respiratory tract.
Scarring and deep inflammation of the lung tissue, which in turn prevents it from fully expanding.
When the heart struggles to pump oxygen-rich blood effectively, or fluid backs up into the lungs, it makes breathing difficult.
Excessive body weight tends to restrict the chest walls and lungs from fully expanding.
Whether you are consulting Dr. Abhishek Bali for wheezing treatment or treatment for shortness of breath in Siliguri, his primary focus is on accurate diagnosis. By identifying the root cause, he targets a personalized recovery plan for improved breathing. Here are the different diagnostic procedures used by Dr. Bali to identify the root cause of breathlessness:
These tests evaluate the overall lung capacity, oxygen absorption ability, and respiratory strength.
This measures the amount of air that you can breathe and the speed at which you can empty your lungs.
This involves inserting a thin, lighted camera tube down the airways to visually inspect for blockages or tissue damage.
This involves attaching a small sensor clip to the finger so that instant blood oxygen saturation levels can be checked.
This provides a detailed image of the chest structure to identify fluid build-up, lung infections, or an enlarged heart.
This generates cross-sectional images of the chest, which help in detecting lung scarring, blood clots, or localized tumors.
This records the electrical activity of your heart to check for rhythm issues or signs of a heart attack.
Dr. Abhishek Bali uses a wide range of treatment strategies to combine immediate relief from breathlessness with long-term management plans. The best treatment for shortness of breath depends on the underlying cause because the key is to restore normal oxygen levels.
Here are the most common treatment procedures used:
These are nebulizers or inhalers that relax airway muscles, which in turn quickly open narrow breathing passages.
This is based on offering supplemental oxygen through a nasal tube or mask so that blood oxygen levels can be increased instantly.
These are inhaled or oral medications that help reduce swelling and inflammation in the lungs.
These therapies are provided by using machines that use continuous air pressure to keep airways open during sleep.
These are blood thinners that dissolve or prevent life-threatening blood clots in the lungs.
Techniques, such as pursed-lip breathing, are taught, which focus on slowing down breath rate and maximizing lung efficiency.
Tips to maintain a healthy bodyweight to reduce physical pressure on the chest wall and diaphragm.
This includes supervised exercise, breathing techniques, and education programs that help improve lung function and overall breathing ability.
While mild breathing difficulties can sometimes result from temporary conditions, certain symptoms require immediate medical evaluation. Delaying treatment in such situations can increase the risk of serious complications and may even become life-threatening.
Seek emergency medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following:
Bishnu Roy, Matigara
Sukanya Singha, Siliguri
Paritosh Guha, Siliguri
MBBS, MD (Respiratory Medicine)
Consultant- Pulmonary Critical Care & Sleep Medicine