Dyspnea
Dyspnea[edit | edit source]
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Dyspnea, commonly known as difficulty breathing, is a subjective experience of breathing discomfort. It can vary in intensity, from mild to severe, and is a common symptom in many cardiac and respiratory conditions.
Definition and Description[edit | edit source]
Dyspnea is characterized by a feeling of shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, or a feeling of suffocation. It can occur at rest or during physical activity and can be acute or chronic.
Causes[edit | edit source]
The causes of dyspnea can be broadly categorized into:
- Cardiac Causes: Heart failure, cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction.
- Respiratory Causes: Asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), pneumonia, pulmonary embolism.
- Other Causes: Anemia, anxiety disorders, obesity.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Besides the primary sensation of difficulty breathing, dyspnea may be accompanied by:
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Chest pain
- Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of dyspnea involves:
- Medical History: Understanding the patient's history and symptom pattern.
- Physical Examination: Assessing lung and heart function.
- Diagnostic Tests: Chest X-rays, pulmonary function tests, blood tests, ECG.
Treatment and Management[edit | edit source]
Treatment of dyspnea depends on the underlying cause and may include:
- Medications (e.g., bronchodilators, steroids)
- Oxygen therapy
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Lifestyle changes (e.g., smoking cessation, weight loss)
Coping Strategies[edit | edit source]
Patients can manage dyspnea through breathing exercises, staying calm during episodes, and using air purifiers to maintain clean air quality.
External Links[edit | edit source]
- [Link to a medical resource on the management of dyspnea]
- [Link to a patient guide on coping with chronic respiratory diseases]
References[edit | edit source]
Dyspnea Resources | ||
---|---|---|
|
|
Translate to: East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen