User:Mr. Ibrahem/Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath (SOB), also known as dyspnea, is the feeling of not being able to breathe well enough. This may include an increased work to breathe, chest tightness, unsatisfied breathing, or the feeling of not getting enough air. Associated symptoms may include cough, sore throat, pain with breathing in, and swelling of the legs. Nail clubbing may occur in those with low oxygen levels of long duration.

Shortness of breath is a normal symptom of heavy exercise but may represents an underlying disease if it occurs unexpectedly. Common causes include the common cold, smoking, and being overweight. Serious causes may relate to the lungs such as asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; heart such as cardiac ischemia, heart failure, cardiac tamponade, and pulmonary hypertension; or other systems such as anemia, chest wall trauma, and sepsis. Other causes may include panic attacks and hyperventilation syndrome.

Treatment typically depends on the underlying cause. Assessment begins with examination of airway, breathing, and circulation. If the person is stable this should than be followed by a complete examination. Shortness of breath is a common complaint.