Shortness of breath: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Shortness of breath | |||
| image = [[File:SymptomsFeverCoughSOB_(cropped).jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = Symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath | |||
| field = [[Pulmonology]] | |||
| synonyms = Dyspnea, breathlessness | |||
| symptoms = Difficulty breathing, feeling of suffocation | |||
| complications = [[Respiratory failure]], [[pneumonia]], [[pulmonary embolism]] | |||
| onset = Sudden or gradual | |||
| duration = Varies | |||
| causes = [[Asthma]], [[chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]], [[heart failure]], [[pneumonia]], [[anxiety]], [[anemia]], [[pulmonary embolism]] | |||
| risks = [[Smoking]], [[obesity]], [[allergies]], [[sedentary lifestyle]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Physical examination]], [[chest X-ray]], [[spirometry]], [[blood tests]] | |||
| differential = [[Heart attack]], [[panic attack]], [[pneumothorax]], [[interstitial lung disease]] | |||
| treatment = [[Oxygen therapy]], [[bronchodilators]], [[steroids]], [[antibiotics]] | |||
| medication = [[Albuterol]], [[prednisone]], [[furosemide]] | |||
| frequency = Common | |||
| deaths = Varies depending on underlying cause | |||
}} | |||
'''Shortness of breath''', medically referred to as '''dyspnea''', is a sensation of not being able to get enough air. It can be a symptom of a variety of health conditions, ranging from mild temporary conditions to serious chronic diseases. | '''Shortness of breath''', medically referred to as '''dyspnea''', is a sensation of not being able to get enough air. It can be a symptom of a variety of health conditions, ranging from mild temporary conditions to serious chronic diseases. | ||
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
Shortness of breath can be caused by a wide range of conditions, including: | Shortness of breath can be caused by a wide range of conditions, including: | ||
* '''[[Cardiovascular conditions]]''': These include [[heart failure]], [[coronary artery disease]], and [[cardiac arrhythmias]]. | * '''[[Cardiovascular conditions]]''': These include [[heart failure]], [[coronary artery disease]], and [[cardiac arrhythmias]]. | ||
* '''[[Respiratory conditions]]''': Conditions such as [[chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)]], [[asthma]], [[pneumonia]], [[pulmonary embolism]], and [[lung cancer]] can lead to shortness of breath. | * '''[[Respiratory conditions]]''': Conditions such as [[chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)]], [[asthma]], [[pneumonia]], [[pulmonary embolism]], and [[lung cancer]] can lead to shortness of breath. | ||
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* '''[[Anxiety disorders]]''': Shortness of breath can also be a symptom of anxiety or panic disorders. | * '''[[Anxiety disorders]]''': Shortness of breath can also be a symptom of anxiety or panic disorders. | ||
* '''[[Obesity]]''': Carrying excess weight can put extra strain on the respiratory system, leading to shortness of breath. | * '''[[Obesity]]''': Carrying excess weight can put extra strain on the respiratory system, leading to shortness of breath. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, a review of medical history, and various tests to determine the underlying cause. These tests may include: | Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, a review of medical history, and various tests to determine the underlying cause. These tests may include: | ||
* '''[[Chest X-ray]]''' or '''[[CT scan]]''': These imaging tests can provide information about the heart and lungs. | * '''[[Chest X-ray]]''' or '''[[CT scan]]''': These imaging tests can provide information about the heart and lungs. | ||
* '''[[Electrocardiogram (ECG)]]''': This test records the electrical activity of the heart and can detect heart conditions that may be causing shortness of breath. | * '''[[Electrocardiogram (ECG)]]''': This test records the electrical activity of the heart and can detect heart conditions that may be causing shortness of breath. | ||
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==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the shortness of breath. It may include medications, lifestyle changes, or in more severe cases, surgery. | Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the shortness of breath. It may include medications, lifestyle changes, or in more severe cases, surgery. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Respiratory System]] | * [[Respiratory System]] | ||
* [[Cardiovascular System]] | * [[Cardiovascular System]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:18, 8 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Shortness of breath | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
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| Synonyms | Dyspnea, breathlessness |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Difficulty breathing, feeling of suffocation |
| Complications | Respiratory failure, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism |
| Onset | Sudden or gradual |
| Duration | Varies |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, pneumonia, anxiety, anemia, pulmonary embolism |
| Risks | Smoking, obesity, allergies, sedentary lifestyle |
| Diagnosis | Physical examination, chest X-ray, spirometry, blood tests |
| Differential diagnosis | Heart attack, panic attack, pneumothorax, interstitial lung disease |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Oxygen therapy, bronchodilators, steroids, antibiotics |
| Medication | Albuterol, prednisone, furosemide |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | Common |
| Deaths | Varies depending on underlying cause |
Shortness of breath, medically referred to as dyspnea, is a sensation of not being able to get enough air. It can be a symptom of a variety of health conditions, ranging from mild temporary conditions to serious chronic diseases.
Causes[edit]
Shortness of breath can be caused by a wide range of conditions, including:
- Cardiovascular conditions: These include heart failure, coronary artery disease, and cardiac arrhythmias.
- Respiratory conditions: Conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and lung cancer can lead to shortness of breath.
- Anemia: This condition, characterized by low red blood cell count, can result in inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues, causing dyspnea.
- Anxiety disorders: Shortness of breath can also be a symptom of anxiety or panic disorders.
- Obesity: Carrying excess weight can put extra strain on the respiratory system, leading to shortness of breath.
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, a review of medical history, and various tests to determine the underlying cause. These tests may include:
- Chest X-ray or CT scan: These imaging tests can provide information about the heart and lungs.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test records the electrical activity of the heart and can detect heart conditions that may be causing shortness of breath.
- Pulmonary function tests: These tests measure how well the lungs are working.
- Blood tests: These can help identify conditions such as anemia or infections.
- Echocardiogram: This test uses sound waves to create images of the heart, and can detect problems with heart function and structure.
Treatment[edit]
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the shortness of breath. It may include medications, lifestyle changes, or in more severe cases, surgery.
See Also[edit]
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| Signs and symptoms relating to the respiratory system | ||||||||||||||
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