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Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage of an artery in the lungs by a substance that has moved from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream (). [6] Symptoms of a PE may include shortness of breath, chest pain particularly upon breathing in, and coughing up blood. [1]
Pulmonary embolism similarly presents with shortness of breath and hypoxia. Chest pain worse with inspiration is frequently seen. Chest pain can also be similar to a heart attack. This is due to the right ventricular stress and ischemia that can occur in PE. [13] Other symptoms are syncope and hemoptysis. [14] DVT is a common cause.
Other important or common causes of shortness of breath include cardiac tamponade, anaphylaxis, interstitial lung disease, panic attacks, [6] [12] [17] and pulmonary hypertension. It is more common among people with relatively small lungs. [22] Around 2/3 of women experience shortness of breath as a part of a normal pregnancy. [9]
Patients with trepopnea in most lung diseases prefer to lie and sleep on the opposite side of the diseased lung, as the gravitation increases perfusion of the lower lung. Increased perfusion in diseased lung would increase shunting and hypoxemia , resulting in worsening shortness of breath when lying on the affected lung.
There should also be a "care plan" in case of future exacerbations. Patients may watch for symptoms, such as shortness of breath, change in character or amount of mucus, and start self-treatment as discussed with a health care provider. This allows for treatment right away until a doctor can be seen. [5]
Most patients after surgery no longer suffer from shortness of breath and therefore have a much improved quality of life. Further, pulmonary vascular resistance usually drops back to close normal levels.
In these cases, shortness of breath can signal something more serious such as preeclampsia, a high blood pressure disorder that starts after the 20th week of pregnancy.
Pulmonary edema (British English: oedema), also known as pulmonary congestion, is excessive fluid accumulation in the tissue or air spaces (usually alveoli) of the lungs. [1] This leads to impaired gas exchange , most often leading to shortness of breath ( dyspnea ) which can progress to hypoxemia and respiratory failure .