Differential Diagnosis

Question 1

☆ What is the DD for sudden dyspnea (shortness of breath) in adults? Name 5 causes

Answer 1

1.Cardiac Causes:
- Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Congestive heart failure
- Cardiac tamponade
- Arrhythmias (e.g., atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia)

2. Pulmonary Causes:
   
   • Pulmonary embolism
   • Pneumothorax
   • Acute asthma exacerbation
   • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation
   • Pneumonia
   • Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
3. Upper Airway Obstruction:
   
   • Foreign body aspiration
   • Anaphylaxis
   • Laryngeal edema
4. Metabolic Causes:
   
   • Diabetic ketoacidosis
   • Metabolic acidosis (e.g., renal failure)
5. Hematologic Causes:
   
   • Severe anemia
6. Neuromuscular Causes:
   
   • Myasthenia gravis crisis
   • Guillain-Barré syndrome
7. Psychogenic Causes:
   
   • Panic attack
   • Anxiety