'Dyspnea' or 'Dyspnoea' (Pronounced ''disp-nee-ah'', from the
Latin ''dyspnoea'',
Greek ''dyspnoia'' from ''dyspnoos'', shortness of breath) or 'short of breath' ('SOB') is perceived difficulty breathing or painful
breathing. It is a common symptom of numerous medical disorders.
'Dyspnea on exertion' ('DOE' or 'exertional dyspnea') indicates dyspnea that occurs (or worsens) during
physical activity.
Disorders of the lungs
Obstructive lung diseases
★
Asthma
★
Bronchitis
★
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
★
Cystic fibrosis
★
Emphysema
★
Laryngeal edema due to
allergies
Diseases of lung parenchyma and pleura
Contagious
★
Anthrax through inhalation of ''
Bacillus anthracis''
★
Pneumonia
★
Severe acute respiratory syndrome
Non-contagious
★ Fibrosing
alveolitis
★
Atelectasis
★
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
★
Interstitial lung disease
★
Lung cancer
★
Pleural effusion
★
Pneumoconiosis
★
Pneumothorax
★ Non-cardiogenic
pulmonary edema or
acute respiratory distress syndrome
★
Sarcoidosis
Pulmonary vascular diseases
★ Acute or recurrent
pulmonary emboli
★
Pulmonary hypertension, primary or secondary
★ Pulmonary
veno-occlusive disease
★
Superior vena cava syndrome
Other causes of diminished breathing
Obstruction of the airway
★
Cancer of the
larynx or
pharynx
★
Empty nose syndrome
★
Pulmonary aspiration
Immobilization of the diaphragm
★ Lesion of the
phrenic nerve
★
Polycystic liver disease
★
Tumor in the diaphragm
Restriction of the chest volume
★
Ankylosing spondylitis
★
Broken ribs
★
Kyphosis of the spine
★
Obesity
★
Pregnancy
★
Pectus excavatum
★
Scoliosis
Disorders of the cardiovascular system
★
Aortic dissection
★
Cardiomyopathy
★
Congenital heart disease
★
Heart failure
★
Ischaemic heart disease
★
Malignant hypertension
★
Pericardium disorders, including:
★
★
Cardiac tamponade
★
★
Constrictive pericarditis
★
★
Pericardial effusion
★
Pulmonary edema
★
Pulmonary embolism
★
Valvular heart disease
Disorders of the blood and metabolism
★
Anemia
★
Hypothyroidism
★
Metabolic acidosis
★
Sepsis
Disorders affecting breathing nerves and muscles
★
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
★
Guillain-Barré syndrome
★
Multiple sclerosis
★
Myasthenia gravis
Psychological conditions
★
Anxiety disorders and
panic attacks
See also
★
Air hunger
★
Tachypnea
★
Bradypnea
★
Eupnea
★
Orthopnea
★
Trepopnea
★
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
References
Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 28th Edition, , , Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Julie K. Stegman, ,
External links
★