dyspnea
- Evaluation-dyspnea
- alterations in circulatory and respiratory functions (Harrison’s)
- symptom to diagnosis of dyspnea
Airway obstruction (↑ resistance to airflow)
Asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, tumor, foreign body, vocal cord dysfunction, anaphylaxis
Alveolar / Parenchymal disease
Pulmonary edema: cardiogenic or noncardiogenic ILD; pneumonia; atelectasis
Vascular
(V/Q mismatch) Large vessel: PE, tumor emboli Small vessel: PHT, vasculitis, ILD, emphysema, PNA
Chest wall
(↑ resistance to expansion; weakness of respir. muscles) Pleural disease: large effusion, fibrosis, pneumothorax Chest wall/diaphragm: kyphoscoliosis, ↑ abd girth Neuromuscular disorders (ALS, GBS, MG) Hyperinflation (COPD, asthma)
Stimulation of receptors
Chemoreceptors: hypoxemia, metabolic acidosis Mechanoreceptors: ILD, pulmonary edema, PHT, PE
↓ O2 carrying cap. (but nl PaO2)
Anemia, methemoglobinemia, CO poisoning
Psychological
Anxiety, panic attack, depression, somatization
Dysphagia
