Causes of DyspneaMUHAMMAD SYAKIR FARHAN BIN SEBERY127095MD USM-KLE BATCH 5

Definition of Dyspnea

• Dyspnea refers to the sensation of difficult or uncomfortable breathing. It is a subjective experience perceived and reported by an affected patient

Pathophysiology of dyspnea

• Involve afferent signals(chemoreceptors, mechanoreceptors, and lung receptors), efferent signals, and central information processing

• Dyspnea results when a “mismatch” occurs between the two: such as when the need for ventilation (afferent signaling) is not being met by physical breathing (efferent signaling).

• poor ventilation leading to hypercapnia, left heart failure (impairing gas exchange), asthma causing bronchoconstriction (limiting airflow) and muscle fatigue leading to ineffective respiratory muscle action could all contribute to a feeling of dyspnea.

Efferent and Afferent Signals That Contribute to the Sensation of Dyspnea

Causes of Dyspnea

Causes of Dyspnea

Grading of the degree of Dyspnea