What is dyspnoea?

What is dyspnoea? 

Definition

Dyspnoea can be defined as the shortness of breath.

Common causes of shortness of breath

  1. Airway obstruction
  2. Asthma 
  3. COPD 
  4. Pulmonary embolism
  5. Pulmonary oedema 
  6. Pneumothorax 
  7.  Pneumonia 
  8.  Pleural effusion

Breathlessness with chest pain


 •  Myocardial ischaemia + pulmonary oedema 
•  Pulmonary embolus
 •  Pneumothorax
 •  Pleurisy (infection) 

Breathlessness+Crackles

 •  Pulmonary oedema
 •  Infection 
 Breathlessness+Haemoptysis
 •  Pulmonary embolus 
•  Pneumonia 
•  Pulmonary haemorrhage 

Breathlessness+Wheeze

•Ashthma
•COPD
•Pulmonary oedema

Breathlessness +Cough 

•  Pneumonia 
•  Pulmonary oedema 
•  Asthma/COPD 

Breathlessness+No abnormal cardiorespiratory signs 

•  Pulmonary embolus 
•  Anaemia 
•  Metabolic acidosis
 •  Anaphylaxis 
•  Septicaemia
 •  Asthma 
•  COPD
 •  Pulmonary oedema
 •  Fibrosis

Dyspnoea can be dangerous if 


Any signs of heart failure?
 •  Crackles
 •  Gallop
 •  Elevated JVP
 •  Oedema
 Any signs of infection? 
•  Fever >37 C 
•  Cough→Sputum
 •  Crackles
 •  Bronchial breathing

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is dysphagia?

What is Dysphagia ?  Dysphagia can be defined as the difficulty in swallowing.  Causes of Dysphagia Preoesophageal causes Preoesophageal causes may be due to disturbance in oral or pharyngeal phase of deglutition, which include following: - Disturbance in mastication Disturbance in lubrication Disturbance in mobility of tongue Defects of palate Lesion of buccal cavity and floor of mouth Obstructive lesions of pharynx Inflammatory conditions Spasmodic conditions Paralytic conditions Oesophageal causes When their is disturbance in the oesophageal phase of deglutition. Their may be problem in lumen, in the wall or outside the wall of oesophagus.  Obstruction in lumen due to atresia, foreign body ,strictures or any tumour Acute or chronic oesophagitis Motility disorders of oesophagus Lesions pressing on the oesophagus from outside, for eg. Hiatus hernia, cervical osteophytes, mediastinal lesions etc.  Investigations Detailed history and examinatio
Read more

Gastric Outlet Syndrome

Image
Gastric Outlet Syndrome Definition Gastric outlet syndrome occurs due to obstruction at gastric outlet.  Causes Pyloric stenosis secondary to peptic ulcer disease Gastric Cancer Adult pyloric stenosis Pyloric mucosal diaphragm Clinical Features There is long history of peptic ulcer disease Remitting pain Non bilious vomiting Loss of weight Dehydration Metabolic Effects Hypochloraemic alkalosis  Dehydration leading to renal dysfunction Tetany due to alkalosis Hyponatremia Management Correct metabolic abnormality Patient rehydrated with IV isotonic saline along with potassium supplements Stomach should be emptied with a wide bore gastric tube Endoscopic biopsy to detect malignancy Aggressive medical therapy for peptic ulcer disease  Endoscopic dilation of gastric outlet in less severe stenosis Operation is frequently required Drainage for benign disease and resection for malignant disease. 
Read more

Headache

Image
Headache Origin of headache:  Stimulation of peripheral nocioreceptors due to tissue injury Damage of pain producing pathways of peripheral or central nervous system.  COMMON CAUSES of HEADACHE Primary Headache         Secondary Headache  Tension-type                    Systemic infection Migraine                            Head injury Idiopathic stabbing        Vascular disorders Exertions                          Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Cluster                               Brain tumour Pain producing cranial structures: Scalp, Middle meningeal artery, Dural sinuses, Falx cerebri, Proximal segments of large pial arteries.  Headache is of two types:  Primary Headache Definition:Here, headache and it's associated features are disorder in itself(without any exogenous cause) .  Structures involved Large intracranial vessels and dura matter Peripheral terminal of trigeminal nerve innervating these structures Caudal portion of trigeminal ner
Read more