GENERAL CAUSES

• Lung disease

• Heart diseases

• Anemia

• Obesity( increased work of breathing/ Restriction of chest wall)

• Thyrotoxicosis

• Anxiety states

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CARDIAC AND LUNG CAUSES

LUNG DISEASES

• History suggestive of Lung problems

• Slower development of disease

• Present at Rest

• Productive cough is common

• Aggravated by Lung infections

   

CARDIAC DISEASE

• History of Hypertension, cardiac diseases

• Rapid development

• Worse on exertion

• Un productive cough generally  

COMMON PULMONARY CAUSES OF BREATHLESSNESS

OBSTRUCTIVE CAUSES

• Asthma

• Chronic Bronchitis

   

RESTRICTIVE CAUSES

• Fibrosis

• Collapse of lung

• Pleural Effusion

• Pneumothorax

   

NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES

• Polio myelitis

• Infective Polyneuritis

DIAGNOSIS BASED ON TIME OF ONSET

ACUTE

• Pneumothorax

• Pulmonary collapse

• Pleural effusion

• Pulmonary embolus

   

PAROXYSMAL

• Bronchial Asthma

• Recurrent pulmonary emboli

   

OVER FEW MONTHS

• Tuberculosis

• Carcinoma

• Pleural Effusion

• Infiltrations

   

OVER MANY MONTHS(CHRONIC)

• Pulmonary fibrosis

• Chronic bronchitis