II. History: Dyspnea Severity

  1. Exertional Dyspnea (early finding)
    1. Early finding in all Dyspnea
    2. Deconditioning
    3. Disproportionate Exertional Dyspnea
      1. Upper airway obstruction
      2. Exercise-Induced Asthma
      3. Severe Pulmonary Hypertension
  2. Dyspnea at rest
    1. Dyspnea out of proportion to physical findings and objective data
      1. Anxiety (esp. if not worsened with exertion)
  3. Orthopnea (most severe, graded by number of pillows)
    1. Congestive Heart Failure (Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea)
    2. Obesity
    3. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
    4. Pulmonary Hypertension
    5. Diaphragmatic paralysis
    6. Gastroesophageal Reflux disease
    7. Chronic Sinusitis with postnasal drainage

IV. History: Dyspnea Contributing Factors

  1. Medications
    1. See Medication Causes of Dyspnea
  2. Tobacco Abuse or Vaping
    1. Emphysema
    2. Chronic Bronchitis
    3. Asthma
  3. Occupational exposure to dust, Asbestos, or volatiles
    1. Interstitial Lung Disease
  4. Organic dust exposure
    1. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
  5. Workplace or home multiple acute flu-like illness in humans and pets (esp. faulty heaters)
    1. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

VIII. References

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