Breathlessness Review PDF

Breathlessness Review new powerpoint Learning outcomes: Understand patient’s experiences of breathlessness Recognise which bodily systems dysfunction are most likely to cause breathlessness Diagnose c...

Breathlessness Review new powerpoint Learning outcomes: Understand patient’s experiences of breathlessness Recognise which bodily systems dysfunction are most likely to cause breathlessness Diagnose common causes of breathlessness Describe common environmental risks factors for respiratory disease Breathing and Circulation Breathlessness Breathlessness 1  Acute-means sudden onset, so something has changed quickly Chronic breathlessness - normally described as breathlessness when patient’s exercise Increase oxygen requirements cannot be delivered May eventually occur at rest Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : persistent airflow limitation, progressive What do we mean by breathlesness? Uncomfortable need to breathe Often called dyspnoea Often abbreviated to SOB (shortness of breath But it is complex What are the most likely reasons someone is breathless? Problem with lungs Problem with the heart or circulation Breathing pattern disturbance Deconditioning Problems with oxygen transport Problems with acid-base balance Pollution Breathlessness 2  How is COPD diagnosed? History Breathlessness 3  Investigations Spirometry Chest X-ray How does COPD present to doctors? Breathlessness on exertion Cough Recurrent chest infections What are the environmental risk factors for COPD? Smoking accounts for 90-95% Environmental dusts, particulates, fumes Women more susceptible Asthma Breathlessness 4 Breathlessness 5  Treatment of COPD Breathlessness 6  Stop smoking Vaccinate against influenza and pneumococcus Pulmonary rehabilitation Exercise and education programme to cope with disease Lose weight Inhalers Oral steroids, antibiotics for exacerbations Surgery, endobronchial valve therapy, lung transplant Long term oxygen therapy Summary Movement dependent on on adequate oxygen delivery Many disease processes can cause acute and chronic breathlessness Breathlessness 7  COPD is a common cause and will increase in incidence over the coming years Stopping smoking, reducing pollution and maintaining a healthy active lifestyle are best protections Vaccinate against respiratory infections + Very hard to gain weight with COPD Acute Chronic Anaphylaxis Asthma Asthma Anaemia Anaemia Heart failure Myocardial infarct Lung cancer Pulmonary embolus Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Pneumothorax Heart failure-acute pulmonary oedema Pneumonia Breathlessness 8