What the TRUE and ACCURATE definition of BREATHING DIFFICULTY?

Alternative names


Shortness of breath; Breathlessness; Difficulty breathing; Dyspnea





Definition


Breathing difficulties involve a sensation of difficult or uncomfortable breathing or a feeling of not getting enough air.





Considerations


No standard definition exists for difficulty breathing. For some individuals, a sense of breathlessness may occur with only mild exercise (for example, climbing stairs) without an indication of the presence of a specific disorder. Others may have advanced lung disease and difficulty exchanging air but may never feel a sensation of shortness of breath.





In some circumstances, a small degree of breathing difficulty may be normal. Severe nasal congestion is one example. Strenuous exercise, especially when a person does not exercise regularly, is another. In many situations, however, difficulty breathing represents the presence of significant disease and should be evaluated by a health care provider immediately.





Wheezing is one form of breathing difficulty. See also rapid breathing, apnea, and other lung diseases.





Common Causes


Shortness of breath has many different causes. Obstruction of the air passages of the nose, mouth, or throat may lead to difficulty breathing. Heart disease can cause breathlessness if the heart is unable to pump enough blood to supply oxygen to the body. If the brain, muscles, or other body organs do not receive enough oxygen, a sense of breathlessness may occur. Sometimes emotional distress, such as anxiety, can lead to difficulty breathing. Specific causes include the following:





-Lung disease


-Asthma


-Emphysema


-Coronary artery disease


-Heart attack (myocardial infarction)


-Interstitial lung disease


-Pneumonia


-Pulmonary hypertension


-Rapid ascent to high altitudes, with less oxygen in the air


-Airway obstruction


-Inhalation of a foreign object


-Dust-laden environment


-Allergies (such as to mold, dander, or pollen)


-Congestive heart failure (CHF)


-Heart arrhythmias


-Deconditioning (lack of exercise)


-Obesity


-Compression of the chest wall


-Panic attacksWhat the TRUE and ACCURATE definition of BREATHING DIFFICULTY?
Well, there are two ways to look at this. The first is signs. Signs are what I can see, hear, feel, or measure during an exam that are typically associated with someone who is having difficulty with breathing: Abnormal ABG results; Use of accessory muscles of respiration; Wheezing; Paradoxical breathing pattern; abnormal pulmonary function results; and so on.





The second is symptoms. These are your perceptions. Do you have trouble getting enough air or oxygen - feelings, not necessarily true, but the way you feel. Do you feel like you can't take a deep breath. Has there been a change in your breathing n response to your normal activities.





These are a couple of general ideas for you. True and accurate? It's how you feel and what can be measured.What the TRUE and ACCURATE definition of BREATHING DIFFICULTY?
Not normal breathing. If you notice it then it is a difficulty.