Dyspnea

Dyspnea or dyspnoea (pronounced disp-nee-ah, IPA /dɪsp'niə/), from Latin dyspnoea, from Greek dyspnoia from dyspnoos, shortness of breath) or shortness of breath (SOB) is perceived to be difficulty of 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. Dyspnea on exertion is considered medically normal and does not warrant the ICD-9 786.09.

Disorders of the lungs

Obstructive lung diseases

• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• Emphysema
• Laryngeal edema due to allergies
• Hookworm disease

Diseases of lung parenchyma and pleura

Contagious

• Anthrax through inhalation of Bacillus anthracis
• Pneumonia

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
• Epiglottitis

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
• CREST syndrome
• 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
• Leukemia

Disorders affecting breathing nerves and muscles

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Multiple sclerosis
• Myasthenia gravis
• Parsonage Turner syndrome
• Eaton-Lambert syndrome

Psychological conditions

• Anxiety disorders and panic attacks

Medications

• Fentanyl

See also

• Air hunger
• Apnea, absence of respiration
• Tachypnea, fast respiration
• Bradypnea, slow respiration
• Eupnea, normal respiration
• Orthopnea
• Trepopnea
• Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

References

Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 28th Edition. Baltimore, Maryland: Julie K. Stegman.

External links