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'''Definition'''
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According to the [[American Thoracic Society]], '''dyspnea''' is a "subjective experience of breathing discomfort that is comprised of qualitatively distinct sensations that very in intensity." Wow, that's a mouthful. Saying that definition out loud definitely can cause '''dyspnea'''. Have an inhaler ready.
'''Symptoms'''
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Well, the main symptom for '''dyspnea''' is '''dyspnea''', sometimes shortness of breath, maybe even feeling a little winded too. Onset can be sudden or gradual, range from mild to severe, intermittent or nocturnal, and can be caused by anything from bad lungs (COPD exacerbation) to [[July Intern|bad interns]] ("You gave the patient ''how'' much insulin?!?").
'''Signs'''
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Oxygen saturation is the most helpful of the [[Vital Signs|vital signs]]; [[Respiratory Rate|respiratory rate]], not so much, since it'll be documented as 16 breaths/min anyway. [[Physical Exam|Physical exam]] has been replaced by [[Radiology's Circle of Tests|radiology]], but should you do a [[Physical Exam|physical exam]], it is helpful to see how many lungs the patient has. [[Stethoscope|Stethoscopes]] are relics of the past, but should you find one, you can try to listen to some lung sounds. If you do so, we recommend absolutely crushing the lung exam.<ref>[http://gomerblog.com/2017/08/crushes-lung-exam-morning/ Doctor Absolutely Crushes the Lung Exam This Morning (Gomerblog)]</ref> (''For a helpful guide on the lung exam, see [http://gomerblog.com/2016/02/physical-exam-tips-the-lungs/ Gomerblog's Physical Exam Tips: The Lung].'') [[Clubbing]] is something that can only be picked up on a Friday or Saturday night. [[JVD]] may suggest the presence of JVP. Distant heart sounds suggest that you should move in a bit closer.
'''Common Causes in Health Care Professionals'''
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#[[Pulmonary Embolism|Pulmonary embolism]] from the hours immobile of immobility spent writing notes
#The threat of litigation
#Anti-vaxxers
'''Related TopicsTreatment'''
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The best treatment starts in the emergency room and involves the simultaneous initiation of any treatment that can improve shortness of breath. Therefore, when a patient presents with '''dyspnea''' initiate each of the following: #[[Nasal Cannula|Supplemental oxygen]]#BIPAP#[[Endotracheal Tube|Endotracheal tube]]#Albuterol#Ipratropium#[[Baby Aspirin|Aspirin]]#[[Statins|Statin]]#[[Morphine]]#[[Dilaudid (Hydromorphone)|Dilaudid]]#High-dose steroids#High-dose [[Lasix (Furosemide)|Lasix]]#[[Blood Thinner|Heparin gtt]]#[[Vancomycin]]#[[Zosyn (Piperacillin- Tazobactam)|Zosyn]]#[[Tamiflu (Oseltamivir)|Tamiflu]]#[[Allergic RyanitisMicafungin]]
'''Related Topics'''----* [[Allergic Ryanitis]]* [[Cough]]* [[COVID- 19]]* [[Hack Up a Lung]]* [[Incentive Spirometer]]* [[Machu Picchu in Three Words: “I Can’t Breathe”]]* [[One- Trach Pony]]* [[Pneumonia]]* [[Pneumonic Device]]* [[Pulmonary Embolism]]* [[SOB]]* [[Trick Collar]]* [[Wheezy]]