Dyspnea

Dyspnea or Dyspnoea (Pronounced disp-nee-ah, from the Latin dyspnoea, Greek dyspnoia from dyspnoos, shortness of breath) or shortness 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.

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Disorders of the lungs

Obstructive lung diseases

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

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
• 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
• 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

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (2006). Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 28th Edition. Baltimore, Maryland: Julie K. Stegman, 601. ISBN 0-7817-3390-1.