Dyspnea () (Latin dyspnoea, Greek dyspnoia from dyspnoos, short of breath) or shortness of breath (SOB) is perceived difficulty breathing or pain on 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.

Causes

• disorders within the lungs
  • Obstructive Disease of Airways
    • Bronchitis
    • emphysema
    • COPD
    • asthma
    • aspirated (inhaled) foreign body
    • laryngeal edema due to allergies
    • Cystic Fibrosis
    • acute exacerbation of asthma
  • Diseases of lung parenchyma and pleura
    • Non cardiogenic pulmonary edema or Acute respiratory distress syndrome
    • fibrosing alveolitis
    • extrinsic allergic alveolitis
    • pneumoconiosis
    • pneumonia
    • atelectasis
    • inhalation anthrax
    • SARS
    • lung cancer
    • sarcoidosis
    • Interstitial lung disease
    • Pleural effusion
    • Pneumothorax
  • Pulmonary vascular diseases
    • acute or recurrent pulmonary emboli
    • Pulmonary hypertension, primary or secondary
    • pulmonary veno-occlusive disease

• disorders of the heart
  • congestive heart failure
  • Cardiogenic pulmonary edema
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Mitral, aortic, tricuspid or pulmonary valvular stenosis or regurgitation.
  • Ischemic heart disease, i.e. due to heart attacks
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Pericardial effusion, tamponade or constrictive pericarditis.
  • malignant hypertension
• disorders of the musculoskeletal system
  • kyphosis
  • scoliosis
  • ankylosing spondylitis
  • broken ribs
  • obesity
• disorders in the nervous system
  • multiple sclerosis
  • ALS
  • myasthenia gravis
  • Guillain Barré Syndrome
• disorders of the nose
  • Dryness of the lungs caused by Empty nose syndrome
• anemia
• Pregnancy
• disorders in adjacent organs
• disorders due to drugs and toxic substances
• sepsis
• metabolic acidosis
• panic attacks

Related terms

• air hunger, the urge to breathe.
• tachypnea, too rapid breathing.
• bradypnea, too slow breathing.
• orthopnea, dyspnea occurring in a recumbent position
• paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, dyspnea occurring during sleep.

External links

Pulmonology | Symptoms

Disnea | Dyspnoe | Disnea | Dyspnée | Benauwdheid | 呼吸困難 | Dyspné | Duszność | Falta de ar