Dyspnea

Dyspnea or dyspnoea (said disp-nee-ah) is shortness of breath. Some research says that about 27% of people suffer it.^{[verification needed]}

File:UniversalChokingSign.jpg

The Universal Choking Sign to let someone know you are choking

Causes[change]

There are many different causes of dyspnea. Some types and their causes are listed below. There may be duplicates in this list.

Pulmonary disorders[change]

Obstructive lung diseases
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Cystic fibrosis (CF)
- Emphysema
- Laryngeal edema due to allergies
- Hookworm disease
Restrictive lung diseases/conditions
- Sarcoidosis
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Pneumonias
- Pneumoconiosis (work/industrial/environment disease)
- Pleural effusion
- Connective tissue disease
- Neuromuscular problems
- Kyphoscoliosis (a thoracic cage deformity)
Diseases of lung parenchyma and pleura
- Contagious
  - Anthrax through inhalation of Bacillus anthracis
  - Pneumonia
- Non-contagious
  - Fibrosing alveolitis
  - Atelectasis
  - Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
  - Interstitial lung disease
  - Lung cancer
  - Pleural effusion
  - Pneumoconiosis
  - Pneumothorax
  - Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema or acute respiratory distress syndrome
  - Sarcoidosis
Pulmonary vascular diseases
- Acute or recurrent pulmonary emboli
- Pulmonary hypertension, primary or secondary
- Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease
- Superior vena cava syndrome

Other causes of diminished breathing[change]

Obstruction of the airway
- Cancer of the larynx or pharynx
- Empty nose syndrome
- Pulmonary aspiration
- Epiglottitis
- Vocal cord dysfunction
Immobilization of the diaphragm
- Lesion of the phrenic nerve
- Polycystic liver disease
- Tumor in the diaphragm
- Drugs, including those which relax muscles (including the diaphragm)
Restriction of the chest volume
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Broken ribs
- Kyphosis of the spine
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Pectus excavatum
- Scoliosis
Disorders of the cardiovascular system
- Aortic dissection
- Cardiomyopathy
- Congenital heart disease
- CREST syndrome
- Heart failure
- Ischaemic heart disease
- Malignant hypertension
- Pericardium disorders, including:
- Pulmonary edema
- Pulmonary embolism
- Valvular heart disease
Disorders of the blood and metabolism
Disorders affecting breathing nerves and muscles
Psychological conditions
- Anxiety disorders and panic attacks
Medications
- Opioids, such as Fentanyl
Other
- Carbon monoxide poisoning