Shortness of breath

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's weight loss doctor NYC
Philadelphia GLP-1 weight loss and GLP-1 clinic NYC

Shortness of breath
File:SymptomsFeverCoughSOB (cropped).jpg
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

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

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

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

• Respiratory System
• Cardiovascular System
• Anxiety Disorder
• Obesity
• Anemia