Do you know what can medically cause shortness of breath? There are actually various reasons it can be present in an individual. In this article, we look at some things that may result in dyspnea -- that's another term for shortness of breath. Just keep in mind that this doesn't cover everything that might lead to it. Also, if you need medical advice then please talk with someone who is qualified, such as your doctor.
Anemia
Dyspnea may result in a patient who has a case of anemia. This situation can actually mean more than one thing, but often it is a condition where the patient's amount of red blood cells is low. We'll call these RBCs from now on. Aside from shortness of breath, the person might also deal with exhaustion. Pain may hit the chest, and pallor may affect the skin (this is where it turns pale). However, in a lot of cases, anemia is not diagnosed for some time, and the person may not notice any symptoms that he considers substantial.
Multiple things can lead to anemia. One type is the iron deficiency form. Lack of a sufficient amount of vitamin B12 in a person is another possibility. Generally, a complete blood count is used as a diagnostic tool for checking to see whether a person has anemia. This shows how many RBCs are in the patient's blood, amongst other findings. If the condition is found, then he may undergo a course of treatment. There are many options to deal with this illness though, and the one used varies in part based on which medical reason was behind the disease.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
It may seem like a mouthful, and this condition can also be shortened and referred to simply as COPD. It involves two things, one of which is chronic bronchitis. The second item that is present in COPD is emphysema. In this situation, the air flow becomes limited. Due to that, shortness of breath can occur. Coughing is another one of the symptoms that might be found in a patient with this pair of illnesses. The situation is most frequently brought on by smoking, although there are also other medical causes. Diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is confirmed using spirometry. At this time, no cure is known. The condition can be treated, though, such as by stopping smoking. Medication may also be used as a method of treatment. In the end, to find the appropriate treatment each case needs to be looked into by someone with the right kind of information and tools -- that is, a professional.
Looking for more information on dyspnea? Other causes are discussed, including asthma, heart failure, and more, at Dyspnea.net. Head there for additional information on shortness of breath.
No comments:
Post a Comment