Anxiety Zone - Shortness of breath, dyspnea, trouble breathing

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Shortness of breath

Dyspnea (Latin dyspnoea, Greek dyspnoia from dyspnoos - short of breath) or shortness of breath (SOB) is perceived difficulty breathing or pain on breathing. It is a common symptom of a great many disorders, including emphysema, COPD, broken ribs, lung cancer, malignant hypertension, and so forth.

Causes

* disorders within the lungs, such as pulmonary hypertension, atelectasis

* disorders in the ribcage, such as kyphosis,

* disorders in adjacent organs

* disorders in the nervous system

* disorders due to drugs and toxins.

Other terms for breathing malfunctions include:

* tachypnea, which is too-rapid breathing.

* bradypnea, which is too-slow breathing.

* orthopnea, dyspnea occurring in a recumbent position

* paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, dyspnea occurring during sleep.

The information above is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for the diagnosis and/or treatment by a licensed, qualified, health-care professional. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It incorporates material originating from the Wikipedia article "Shortness of breath".