Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, is a feeling of difficult or labored breathing that is out of proportion to the patient's level of physical activity. Itis a symptom of a variety of different diseases or disorders and may be either acute or chronic.
The experience of dyspnea depends on its severity and underlying causes. Thefeeling itself results from a combination of impulses relayed to the brain from nerve endings in the lungs, rib cage, chest muscles, or diaphragm, combined with the patient's perception and interpretation of the sensation. In somecases, the patient's sensation of breathlessness is intensified by anxiety about its cause. Patients describe dyspnea variously as unpleasant shortness ofbreath, a feeling of increased effort or tiredness in moving the chest muscles, a panicky feeling of being smothered, or a sense of tightness or crampingin the chest wall.
Acute dyspnea with sudden onset is a frequent cause of emergency room visits.Most cases of acute dyspnea involve pulmonary (lung and breathing) disorders, cardiovascular disease, or chest trauma.
Pulmonary disorders that can cause dyspnea include airway obstruction by a foreign object, swelling due to infection, or anaphylactic shock; acute pneumonia; hemorrhage from the lungs; or severe bronchospasms associated with asthma.
Acute dyspnea can be caused by disturbances of the heart rhythm, failure of the left ventricle, mitral valve (a heart valve) dysfunction, or an embolus (aclump of tissue, fat, or gas) that is blocking the pulmonary circulation. Most pulmonary emboli (blood clots) originate in the deep veins of the lower legs and eventually migrate to the pulmonary artery.
Chest injuries, both closed injuries and penetrating wounds, can cause pneumothorax (the presence of air inside the chest cavity), bruises, or fractured ribs. Pain from these injuries results in dyspnea. The impact of the driver'schest against the steering wheel in auto accidents is a frequent cause of closed chest injuries.
Anxiety attacks sometimes cause acute dyspnea; they may or may not be associated with chest pain. Anxiety attacks are often accompanied by hyperventilation, which is a breathing pattern characterized by abnormally rapid and deep breaths. Hyperventilation raises the oxygen level in the blood, causing chest pain and dizziness.
Chronic dyspnea can be caused by asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, emphysema, inflammation of the lungs, pulmonary hypertension, tumors, or disorders of the vocal cords.
Disorders of the left side of the heart or inadequate supply of blood to theheart muscle can cause dyspnea. In some cases a tumor in the heart or inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart may cause dyspnea.
Neuromuscular disorders cause dyspnea from progressive deterioration of the patient's chest muscles. They include muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Patients who are severely anemic may develop dyspnea if they exercise vigorously.classify Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism may cause shortness of breath,and so may gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Both chronic anxiety disorders, and a low level of physical fitness can also cause episodes of dyspnea. Deformities of the chest or obesity can cause dyspnea by limiting the movement of the chest wall and the ability of the lungs to fill completely.
The patient's history provides the doctor with such necessary information asa history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), asthma, or other allergic conditions; the presence of chest pain as well as difficulty breathing; recent accidents or recent surgery; information about smoking habits; the patient's baseline level of physical activity and exercise habits; and a psychiatric history of panic attacks or anxiety disorders.
How a person's body position affects his/her dyspnea symptoms sometimes giveshints as to the underlying cause of the disorder. Dyspnea that is worse whenthe patient is sitting up is called platypnea and indicates the possibilityof liver disease. Dyspnea that is worse when the patient is lying down is called orthopnea, and is associated with heart disease or paralysis of the diaphragm. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) refers to dyspnea that occurs duringsleep and forces the patient to awake gasping for breath. It is usually relieved if the patient sits up or stands. PND may point to dysfunction of the left ventricle of the heart, hypertension, or narrowing of the mitral valve.
The doctor will examine the patient's chest in order to determine the rate and depth of breathing, the effort required, the condition of the patient's breathing muscles, and any evidence of chest deformities or trauma. He or she will listen for wheezing, stridor, or signs of fluid in the lungs. If the patient has a fever, the doctor will look for other signs of pneumonia. The doctorwill check the patient's heart functions, including blood pressure, pulse rate, and the presence of heart murmurs or other abnormal heart sounds. If thedoctor suspects a blood clot in one of the large veins leading to the heart,he or she will examine the patient's legs for signs of swelling.
Patients who are seen in emergency rooms are given a chest x ray and an electrocardiography (ECG) to assist the doctor in evaluating abnormalities of thechest wall, also to determine the position of the diaphragm, possible rib fractures or pneumothorax, irregular heartbeat, or the adequacy of the supply ofblood to the heart muscle. Also, the patient may be given a breathing test on an instrument called a spirometer to screen for airway disorders.
The doctor may order blood tests and arterial blood gas tests to rule out anemia, hyperventilation from an anxiety attack, or thyroid dysfunction. A sputum culture can be used to test for pneumonia.
Specialized tests may be ordered for patients with normal results from basicdiagnostic tests for dyspnea. High-resolution CT scans can be used for suspected airway obstruction or mild emphysema. Tissue biopsy performed with a bronchoscope can be used for patients with suspected lung disease.
If the doctor suspects a pulmonary embolism, he or she may order ventilation-perfusion scanning to inspect lung function, an angiogram of blood vessels, or ultrasound studies of the leg veins. Echocardiography can be used to test for pulmonary hypertension and heart disease.
Pulmonary function studies or electromyography (EMG) are used to assess neuromuscular diseases. Exercise testing is used to assess dyspnea related to COPD, anxiety attacks, poor physical fitness, and the severity of lung or heart disease. The level of acidity in the patient's esophagus may be monitored to rule out GERD.
Treatment of dyspnea depends on its underlying cause. Patients with acute dyspnea are given oxygen in the emergency room, with the following treatments for specific conditions:
- Asthma. Treatment with Alupent, epinephrine, oraminophylline.
- Anaphylactic shock. Treatment with Benadryl, steroids, or aminophylline, with hydrocortisone if necessary.
- heart failure.Treatment with oxygen, diuretics, and placing patient in upright position.
- Pneumonia. Treatment with antibiotics and removal of lung secretions.
- Anxiety attacks. Immediate treatment includes antidepressant medications. If the patient is hyperventilating, he or she may be asked to breathe into a paper bag to normalize breathing rhythm and the oxygen level of the blood.
- Pneumothorax. Surgical placement of a chest tube.
The treatment of chronic dyspnea depends on the underlying disorder. Asthma can often be managed with a combination of medications to reduce airway spasmsand removal of allergens from the patient's environment. COPD requires bothmedication, lifestyle changes, and long-term physical rehabilitation. Anxietydisorders are usually treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. GERD can usually be managed with antacids, other medications, and dietary changes. There are no permanent cures for myasthenia gravis or muscular dystrophy.
Tumors and certain types of chest deformities can be treated surgically.
The appropriate alternative therapy for shortness of breath depends on the underlying cause of the condition. When dyspnea is acute and severe, oxygen therapy is used either in the doctor's office or in the emergency room. For shortness of breath with an underlying physical cause like asthma, anaphylactic shock, or pneumonia, the physical condition should be treated. Botanical and homeopathic remedies can be used for acute dyspnea, if the proper remedies andformulas are prescribed. If the dyspnea has a psychological basis (especially if it is caused by anxiety), acupuncture, botanical medicine, and homeopathy can help the patient heal at a deep level.
The prognosis (expected outcome) depends on the underlying cause of the dyspnea, its severity, and the type of treatment required.
Dyspnea caused by asthma can be minimized or prevented by removing dust and other triggers from the patient's environment. Long-term prevention of chronicdyspnea includes such lifestyle choices as regular aerobic exercise and avoidance of smoking.
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