COPD Flashcards
What are the 4 MAIN causes of Breathlessness
- Heart conditions
- Lung conditions
- Anxiety
- being unfit
there’s more and if you get breathless every day, you might be diagnosed with one or more of theses causes
Can all conditions that cause long term breathlessness be treated?
Some can, but some cannot be fully reversed
What are the different ways in which lung conditions can cause breathlessness?
Some conditions causes inflammation and narrowing of airways OR fill airways with phlegm so that its harder for air toy move in and out lungs
some make lungs stiff and less elastic so it’s harder for them to expand and fill with air
What are examples of lung conditions that cause long term breathlessness
- COPD
- asthma
- interstitial lung disease including pulmonary fibrosis
- bronchiectasis
- lung cancer
- industrial or occupational lung diseases such as asbestosis - caused by asbestos
What are examples of lung conditions that causes acute short term breathlessness
- A flare up of asthma or COPD
- Pulmonary embolism or blood clot in lung
- lung infection suc as pneumonia or tuberculosis
- pneumothorax or collapsed lung
- build up of fluid in lungs or lining of lungs- caused by liver diseases or cancer or infection or heart not pumping blood efficiently
Why do people experience long term breathlessness due to heart failure
This is due to problems with the rhythm, valves or cardiac muscles of the heart
How can heart failure cause breathlessness
Heart cant pump blood to meet demand due to exercise
lungs becomes congested and filled with fluid
Why is breathlessness often worse when lying flat
Heart failure can be worse at night or when asleep
What are examples of heart conditions that cause acute breathlessness
- Heart attack
- abnormal heart rhythm; may feel heart miss a beat or feel palpitations
Why do people feel short of breath when they’re anxious or afraid
Normal response as body thinks it’s a stressful situation and body is preparing for action
you breathe faster and tense your breathing muscles
Describe how levels of fitness affect breathing
If unfit, the breathing muscles get weaker as we dont use them as often
Weaker muscles need more oxygen to work, hence the weak your muscles, the more breathless we feel
How does having an unhealthy weight make you feel breathless
Underweight- breathing muscles are weaker
Overweight- it takes more effort to breathe and move around. Having more weight around chest and abdomen restricts movement of Lungs.
those with BMI over 25 have higher chance of having breathlessness than people with healthy weight
Wat can people who are severely overweight develop?
Hypoventilation syndrome- this is when poor breathing leads to lower oxygens levels and higher CO2 levels in blood
What are the OTHER reasons for long term breathlessness
- Smoking
- kidney disease
- Thyroid disease
- anaemia- lack of iron in body leads to few red blood cells
- Scoliosis and kyphosis- shape of spine affect how ribs and lungs expand
- conditions that affect muscles like DMD and myasthenia gravis or motor neurone disease
What is a panic attack
When normal body’s response is exaggerated and there’s a rapid build up of physical responses
the body tries to take in more oxygens and breathing quickens
the body also release hormones so your heart beats faster and your muscles tense
What do people who have panic attack feel (symptoms)?
- Can’t breathe- very frightening
- have a pounding heart
- sweat
- feel sick
- have shaky limbs
- feel you’re not connected to your body
What symptoms are very similar to anxiety
- Breathlessness
- tightness in chest
- getting tired easily
How can physical health impact mental Health in terms of anxiety
Those with long term conditions like lung condition may feel that they are not in control of the condition and may feel anxious which can exarcebate breathlessness
Why is it better to bring someone with you to the doctors if you’re worried about breathlessness
You may not be breathless at the time of consultation. The person can help describe the sympotoms to the doctor better
What will a doctor show you to help you describe your breathlessness
MRC BREATHLESSNESS SCALE
What does the MRC breathlessness scale does or doesnt recognise?
It DOES NOT recognise how you think or feel about getting out of breath
However, it helps to show what your breathlessness stops you from doing
Outline the MRC breathlessness scale in terms of grade

During the consultation, what is also important to tell your doctor
- What you used to be able to do but now you can not do anymore
- What people of your age around you do that you think you should be able to do
- what your personal goals are for your day to day activity
may be useful to use local landmarks such as bus stops, shops and hills to help.
What questions will my doctor ask?
- How long have you been feeling breathless and how quickly did it come on?
- Does it come and go or is it there all the time?
- Is there any pattern to your breathlessness?
- Does it start or get worse at any particular time of day?
- Does it come on or get worse when you lie flat?
- Does anything bring it on? For example, pollen, pets or medication?
- Do you smoke?
- Do you also have a cough, or bring up phlegm?
- Do you get chest pain, palpitations or ankle swelling?
- How active are you usually?
- What’s your job or occupation?
- Is your breathlessness related to certain times at work?
- Do you have a history of heart, lung or thyroid disease or of anaemia?
- Have you made any changes in your life because of your shortness of breath?
- Do you feel worried or frightened, depressed or hopeless?
- What have you done to help you cope with the way you’re feeling?


















