Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath
Other namesDyspnea, dyspnoea, breathlessness, difficulty (in/of) breathing; respiratory distress
Pronunciation
SpecialtyPulmonology

Shortness of breath (SOB), also medically known as dyspnea (in AmE) or dyspnoea (in BrE), is an uncomfortable feeling of not being able to breathe well enough. The American Thoracic Society defines it as "a subjective experience of breathing discomfort that consists of qualitatively distinct sensations that vary in intensity", and recommends evaluating dyspnea by assessing the intensity of its distinct sensations, the degree of distress and discomfort involved, and its burden or impact on the patient's activities of daily living. Distinct sensations include effort/work to breathe, chest tightness or pain, and "air hunger" (the feeling of not enough oxygen).[1] The tripod position is often assumed to be a sign.

Dyspnea is a normal symptom of heavy physical exertion but becomes pathological if it occurs in unexpected situations,[2] when resting or during light exertion. In 85% of cases it is due to asthma, pneumonia, cardiac ischemia, COVID-19, interstitial lung disease, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or psychogenic causes,[2][3] such as panic disorder and anxiety.[4] The best treatment to relieve or even remove shortness of breath[5] typically depends on the underlying cause.[6]

  1. ^ Donald A. Mahler; Denis E. O'Donnell (2014). Dyspnea: Mechanisms, Measurement, and Management, Third Edition. CRC Press. p. 3. ISBN 978-1-4822-0869-6. Archived from the original on 2023-01-14. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
  2. ^ a b Shiber JR, Santana J (May 2006). "Dyspnea". Med. Clin. North Am. 90 (3): 453–79. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2005.11.006. PMID 16473100.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Pal2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Mukerji, Vaskar (1990). "11". Dyspnea, Orthopnea, and Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea. Butterworth Publishers. ISBN 9780409900774. PMID 21250057. Archived from the original on 27 April 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2014. In addition, dyspnea may occur in febrile and hypoxic states and in association with some psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and panic disorder.
  5. ^ Kelvin, Joanne Frankel; Tyson, Leslie B. 100 Questions & Answers About Cancer Symptoms and Cancer Treatment Side Effects. 2nd Edition. 2011.[ISBN missing][page needed]
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Z2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).