Dyspnoea - at rest, exercise and others - is a condition the cause of which we usually look for in diseases of the respiratory and circulatory systems. In some cases, shortness of breath may be a very serious, life-threatening illness and therefore cannot be taken lightly. Find out what's causing breathlessness.

Dyspnoeais a feeling of uncomfortable or uncomfortable breathing. Depending on thecause,can be felt and described in very different ways.

Dyspnoea - Causes (acute course)

Dyspnoea may be acute, i.e. occur within minutes. Then its causes may be:

  • pneumothorax - appear min. sudden sharp pain in the chest, rapid breathing (tachypnoea), pallor, cyanosis, dry cough
  • pulmonary embolism - manifested by sudden sharp pain in the chest, increased breathing and heart rate, and rapidly increasing dyspnea is accompanied by cyanosis
  • asthma, obstruction or reactive respiratory disease - wheezing or difficulty breathing is characteristic, which occurs spontaneously or after exposure to a specific stimulus (allergen, respiratory infection, cold, exercise)
  • foreign body - there is a sudden cough or wheezing while inhaling, with no respiratory tract infection or general symptoms. Usually for a toddler

The most common causes of dyspnea are bronchial asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease

Dyspnoea - causes (subacute course)

Dyspnoea may be subacute, ie it occurs over the course of hours or days. Then its causes may be:

  • pneumonia - appear, among others fever, cough, sometimes chest pain and crackles in the chest
  • exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - characteristic is a dry or wet cough, use of additional respiratory muscles or the so-called breath through pursed lips
  • coronary artery disease - there is retrosternal pain radiating the arm or jaw, often triggered by exercise ( post-exercise dyspnea)
  • pericardial effusion or tamponade - appeardyspnea at rest , rapid heart rate and breathing

Dyspnoea - causes (chronic course)

Dyspnoea may be chronic, that is, over a period of hours or years. Then its causes may be:

  • obstructive pulmonary disease - difficulty breathing when exercising, then also at rest, coughing and expectoration of sputum, mainly in the morning, after contact with cool air
  • interstitial lung disease - dyspnoea, chronic dry (non-productive) cough, haemoptysis
  • fluid in the pleural cavity - dyspnoea is characteristic when the patient is in the supine position
  • heart failure - crackles appear in the chest, widening of the jugular veins, swelling. Dyspnoea appears in the supine position or 1-2 hours. after falling asleep (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea)
  • stable coronary artery disease - there is retrosternal pain radiating to the arm or jaw, often triggered by exercise
  • anemia - shortness of breath - initially at rest, then with exercise
  • lack of physical activity - shortness of breath occurs only with exercise in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle
  • toxic damage to the respiratory tract (e.g. inhalation of chlorine, hydrogen sulfide) - shortness of breath appears suddenly after contact with chemicals and other toxic agents. It usually occurs in people who are exposed to such contact due to their profession or after inappropriate use of cleaning agents
  • unstable angina or myocardial infarction - there is retrosternal pain that radiates to the arm or jaw, especially in patients with risk factors for ischemic heart disease
  • papillary muscle dysfunction or rupture - characteristic is sudden chest pain, symptoms of heart failure, especially in patients with a previous heart attack
  • heart failure - crackles appear in the chest, widening of the jugular veins, swelling. Dyspnoea appears in the supine position or 1-2 hours. after falling asleep (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea)
  • diaphragmatic paralysis - occurs suddenly after an injury injuring the phrenic nerve. Then there is often shortness of breath in the supine position
  • anxiety disorders - hyperventilation - dyspnoea often accompanies psychomotor agitation. In addition, there are paresthesia (tingling, numbness) in the fingers or around the mouth
Important

Alarming symptoms

  • dyspnea at rest
  • disturbance of consciousness or confusion
  • weak chest tilt when breathing, use of additional breathing muscles
  • chest pain
  • crackle
  • weight loss
  • night sweats

These are symptoms that should prompt you to see a doctor as soon as possible

Bibliography:

  1. The Merck manual. Clinical Symptoms: A Practical Guide to Diagnostics and Therapy , pp. ed. Porter R., Kaplan J., Homeier B., Wrocław 2010
About the authorMonika Majewska A journalist specializing in he alth issues, especially in the areas of medicine, he alth protection and he althy eating. Author of news, guides, interviews with experts and reports. Participant of the largest Polish National Medical Conference "Polish woman in Europe", organized by the "Journalists for He alth" Association, as well as specialist workshops and seminars for journalists organized by the Association.

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Category:

Respiratory system