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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffFew sensations are as frightening as not being able to get enough air. Although shortness of breath — known medically as dyspnea — is likely to be experienced differently by different people, it's often described as an intense tightening in the chest or feeling of suffocation. You may experience shortness of breath just once or have recurring episodes that could become constant.
Unaccustomed or very strenuous exercise, extreme temperatures and high elevations all can cause shortness of breath. Often, however, new onset of shortness of breath is a sign of a medical problem. If you have unexplained shortness of breath, see your doctor as soon as possible.
- Schwartzstein RM. Approach to the patient with dyspnea. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 25, 2010.
- Braithwaite S, et al. Dyspnea: Diagnostic approach. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00017-7&uniq=207151540&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&sid=1017641192#lpState=opened&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00017-7--s0025%3Bfrom%3Dcontent%3Bisbn%3D978-0-323-05472-0%3Btype%3DbookPage. Accessed June 25, 2010.
- Ferri FF. Dyspnea. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/207151540-5/1017641192/2088/I4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00066-6--f1020.fig?tocnode=58139733. Accessed June 25, 2010.
- Chart: Shortness of breath. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/521.html. Accessed June 25, 2010.
- Chart: Shortness of breath in a child or infant. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/522.html. Accessed June 25, 2010.
- What are the signs and symptoms of pleurisy and other pleural disorders? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/pleurisy/pleurisy_signs_symptoms.html. Accessed June 25, 2010.
- Schwartzstein RM. Patient information: Shortness of breath (dyspnea). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 25, 2010.
- Rosenow EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 6, 2010.
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