Definition | Dyspnea | Futura Health

September 23, 2022

Dyspnea is a difficulty or discomfort in breathing. It can take different forms:

  • feeling of need for air

  • hyperventilation, rapid and shallow breathing

  • tightness in the chest

  • It generally begins with a shortness of breath on exertion, then also manifests itself at rest (especially when lying down in case ofheart failure). Dyspnea is sometimes accompanied by a dry cough and in the long run leads to fatigue physical intense.

Causes of dyspnea

Dyspnea has two main origins: cardiac and pulmonary

Dyspnea of ​​cardiac origin

Dyspnea is one of the first symptoms of the'heart failure. It is felt as suffocation rather than just shortness of breath. Failure of the heart pump induces an increase in pressure pulmonary capillary, leading to a decrease in pulmonary compliance (elasticity of lungs), increased work of the respiratory muscles and hypoxemia, which in turn stimulates dyspnea. Acute dyspnea can hide a myocardial infarction, when the heart no longer receives the amount ofoxygen required.

Dyspnea of ​​pulmonary origin

  • obstructive dyspnea, caused by an obstruction in the lungs or bronchi : bronchitis chronic, COPD, asthma, Sleep Apnea,inhalation a foreign body

  • restriction dyspnea, caused by limitation of movements lung: edema pulmonary, inflammation, tumor, fibrosis pulmonary, obesity excessive

  • Certain dyspneas can also have a psychological origin (anxiety attacks)

Treatment of dyspnea

There is no specific treatment for dyspnea: the objective is therefore to resolve the pathology underlying. Mechanical devices are indicated in the asthma attacks or theSleep Apnea. The treatment sometimes involves respiratory rehabilitation at a physiotherapist. Healthy living is also essential, smoking and obesity being aggravating factors.

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