Chronic Dyspnea Flashcards
What is chronic dyspnoea?
Breathlessness that develops over weeks or months
What is the most common symptom of chronic dyspnoea?
Uncomfortable sensation of being aware of breathing
Define orthopnoea
Shortness of breath when lying down that’s relieved by standing or sitting up
What is Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnoea (PND)?
Attack of severe shortness of breath and coughing that generally occurs at night, and awakens the person from sleep
List some respiratory conditions that can cause chronic dyspnoea.
- Upper airway obstruction
- Lower airway obstruction
- Asthma
- COPD
- Pleural effusion
- Pulmonary vascular disease (hypertension) due to chronic fibrosis
Which cardiovascular condition is known to cause increased hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary capillaries?
Pulmonary edema
What are some examples of cardiovascular conditions associated with chronic dyspnoea?
- Valvular heart disease
- Congenital heart failure
True or False: Cardiac causes are the most likely cause of orthopnoea and PND.
True
What haematological condition can cause chronic dyspnoea?
Anaemia
What renal conditions can lead to fluid build-up in the lungs?
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
- Dialysis treatment
Name some psychogenic conditions that can contribute to chronic dyspnoea.
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Hyperventilation
What neuromuscular conditions can affect the pulmonary muscles?
- Polymyositis
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
What initial investigation should be conducted if a patient is over 40 years old with red flag symptoms?
Chest X-ray within 2 weeks to rule out lung cancer
What can a chest X-ray identify in the context of chronic dyspnoea?
- Signs of cardiovascular conditions
- Signs of pulmonary conditions
- Heart failure
- Pleural effusion
- Bronchiectasis
What does FBC stand for and what does it assess?
Full Blood Count; assesses anaemia and infections
