Update: Shortness of Breath

Difficulty in breathing (also known as shortness of breath, breathlessness, or dyspnea) is caused by various mechanisms related to different problems in the body. In one’s lifetime, one may experience rare episodes of shortness of breath as part of high levels of activity such as exhaustive exertion or during environmental conditions such as high altitude or very warm or cold temperatures. Other than these extreme conditions, shortness of breath is commonly a sign of a medical problem.If the shortness of breath is prolonged and persistent, it is likely to be related to a medical condition. If it is sudden and severe in intensity or even of short duration, however, it may warrant medical evaluation. Other clues of the existence of a medical problem are given in Table 1.View this table:Table 1. Possible Medical Reasons for Shortness of BreathSymptom of shortness of breath can be caused by a variety of abnormalities in different organ systems in the body (Figure).Figure. Drawing of organs that may be involved in development of shortness of breath, including the central nervous system, airway, lungs, chest, and heart. Lung Problems