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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Dyspnea and Loss of consciousness or Agitation

Introduction


Abbreviations: ABG (arterial blood gas); ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme); BMI (body mass index); CBC (complete blood count); CSF (cerebrospinal fluid); CXR (chest X-ray); ECG (electrocardiogram); FEF (forced expiratory flow rate); FEV1 (forced expiratory volume); FVC (forced vital capacity); JVD (jugular vein distention); MCV (mean corpuscular volume); Plt (platelet); RV (residual volume); SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone); TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone); Vt (tidal volume); WBC (white blood cell);

Organ system Diseases Clinical manifestations Diagnosis Other features
Symptoms Physical exam
Loss of consciousness Agitation Weight loss Fever Chest pain Cough Cyanosis Clubbing JVD Peripheral edema Auscultation CBC ABG Imaging Spirometry Gold standard
Acute Dyspnea Respiratory system Head and Neck,

Upper airway

Anaphylaxis[1] +/- + – +/- – – +/- – – – Scattered wheezing Normal Normal Normal N/A Vital sign Type 1 hypersensitivity
Aspiration[2] – + – – +/- + + – – – Diminished breath sounds Normal Normal Atelectasis ↓Vt, ↑RV Bronchoscopy Choking
Croup[3] – + – +/- – + + – – – Stridor ↑WBC Normal Steeple sign Normal Physical exam Barking cough
Epiglottitis[4] – + – + – + – – – – Stridor ↑WBC Normal Thumb sign Normal Laryngoscopy Drooling
Chest and Pleura,

Lower airway

Asthma attack[5] – + – – +/- + + – – – Wheeze ↑ Eosinophil Respiratory alkalosis Normal ↓ FEV1, PEF Physical exam and

Spirometry

Chest pain
Bronchospasm[6] +/- + – – + +/- + – – – Wheeze Normal ↓O2, ↑CO2 Normal ↓Vt, ↑RV Physical exam Allergic reaction
COPD exacerbation[7] – + – + + + + +/- +/- +/- Wheeze, Rhonchi, and Crackles ↑WBC, ↑RBC Respiratory alkalosis Hyperexpansion ↓ FEV1/FVC Clinical assessment Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB)
Rib fractures (flail chest)[8] – + – – + – – – – – Normal Normal Respiratory acidosis Fracture marks Normal Chest X-ray Pneumothorax
Cardiovascular system Acute myocardial ischemia[9] +/- + – +/- + – – – – – Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Cardiac troponin I Nausea and vomiting, Positive pertinent risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and smoking
Acute heart failure[10] +/- + – – +/- + + – + + S3 Normal Respiratory alkalosis ↑ Cardiothoracic ratio ↓Vt B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) Excessive sweating, high blood pressure
Pericardial tamponade[11] +/- – – – + – – – + – Muffled heart sounds Normal Normal Water bottle appearance enlarged heart Normal Echocardiography Fluid accumulation in pericardium
Tachyarrhythmia[9] +/- + – – +/- – – – – – High pulse rate Normal Normal Normal Normal ECG Palpitation
Pulmonary edema[12] +/- + – + + + + + + + Basal crackle Normal Respiratory alkalosis Bat wing pattern, air bronchograms ↓Vt, ↑RV Cardiac Catheterization Tachypnea
Central nervous system Stroke + – – +/- – – – – – – Normal Normal Normal Intracranial infarct or hemorrhage Normal Brain MRI Paralysis or paresthesia
Encephalitis[13] + + – + – – – – – – Normal ↑WBC, neutrophilia Normal Normal Normal CSF PCR Confusion
Traumatic brain injury[14] + +/- – – – – – – – – Normal Normal Respiratory acidosis Intracerebral hemorrhage Normal Brain CT scan Lucid interval
Toxic/Metabolic Organophosphate poisoning[15] + – – + – – – – – – Wheeze Normal ↓O2, ↑CO2 Normal Normal Blood test Salivation, Lacrimation, Emesis, Miosis
Salicylate poisoning[16] + – – – – – + – – – Normal Normal Metabolic acidosis, Respiratory alkalosis Normal Normal Blood test Vomiting, Tinnitus, Confusion, Hyperthermia
Carbon monoxide poisoning[17] + – – – + + + – – – Wheeze Carboxyhemoglobin ↓O2, ↑CO2 Normal N/A Carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) level Headache, Dizziness, Weakness, Vomiting, Confusion
Diabetic ketoacidosis[18] + +/- – – – – – – – – Scattered wheeze, Kussmaul’s respiration ↑WBC Metabolic acidosis Normal Normal Blood test (acidosis, hyperglycemia, ketonemia) Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Weakness, Confusion
Systemic Panic attack[19] +/- + – – – – – – – – Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Clinical assessment Severe anxiety
Sepsis[20] +/- – – + – – – – – – Normal ↑WBC, neutrophilia ↓O2, ↑CO2 Normal Normal SIRS criteria Chills, Confusion
Organ system Diseases Clinical manifestations Diagnosis Other features
Symptoms Physical exam
Loss of consciousness Agitation Weight loss Fever Chest pain Cough Cyanosis Clubbing JVD Peripheral edema Auscultation CBC ABG Imaging Spirometry Gold standard
Chronic Dyspnea Respiratory system Chest and Pleura,

Lower airway

Bronchial asthma[5] – + +/- – +/- + + + – – Wheeze ↑ Eosinophil Respiratory alkalosis, Metabolic acidosis Pulmonary hyperinflation,

Bronchial wall thickening

↓ FEV1/FVC Spirometry before and after bronchodilator Paroxysmal respiratory distress
Pleural effusion[21] – +/- + – + – – – +/- +/- Egophony (“E-to-A” change) Normal Normal Blunting of the costophrenic and cardiophrenic angle ↓Vt, ↑RV Light’s criteria ↓Tactile fremitus, Asymmetrical chest expansion
Cardiovascular system Coronary heart disease[9] – +/- – – + – – – – – Normal Normal ↓O2 Normal Normal Cardiac troponin I Nausea, Lightheadedness, Sweating
Neuromuscular disease Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis[22] +/- – +/- – – – – – – – Normal ↑WBC Normal Normal ↓Vt, ↑RV Revised El Escorial criteria (clinical) Muscle weakness, Dysphagia
Glycolytic enzyme defects (e.g., McArdle)[23] +/- – – – – – – – – +/- Normal Normal Normal Normal ↓Vt, ↑RV Muscle biopsy (ragged red fibers) Myoglobinuria,

Muscle weakness

Systemic Anxiety[24] + + + – +/- +/- – – – – Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Psychological interview Sweating, Palpitation
Depression[25] – + + – – – – – – – Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Psychological interview Depressed mood, Fatigue

References

  1. ↑ Bjornsson HM, Graffeo CS (2010). “Improving diagnostic accuracy of anaphylaxis in the acute care setting”. West J Emerg Med. 11 (5): 456–61. PMC 3027438. PMID 21293765.
  2. ↑ O’Horo JC, Rogus-Pulia N, Garcia-Arguello L, Robbins J, Safdar N (2015). “Bedside diagnosis of dysphagia: a systematic review”. J Hosp Med. 10 (4): 256–65. doi:10.1002/jhm.2313. PMC 4607509. PMID 25581840.
  3. ↑ Bjornson CL, Johnson DW (2013). “Croup in children”. CMAJ. 185 (15): 1317–23. doi:10.1503/cmaj.121645. PMC 3796596. PMID 23939212.
  4. ↑ Negus VE (1927). “The Function of the Epiglottis”. J Anat. 62 (Pt 1): 1–8. PMC 1250045. PMID 17104162.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Hodder R, Lougheed MD, Rowe BH, FitzGerald JM, Kaplan AG, McIvor RA (2010). “Management of acute asthma in adults in the emergency department: nonventilatory management”. CMAJ. 182 (2): E55–67. doi:10.1503/cmaj.080072. PMC 2817338. PMID 19858243.
  6. ↑ Molis MA, Molis WE (2010). “Exercise-induced bronchospasm”. Sports Health. 2 (4): 311–7. doi:10.1177/1941738110373735. PMC 3445098. PMID 23015953.
  7. ↑ Qureshi H, Sharafkhaneh A, Hanania NA (2014). “Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations: latest evidence and clinical implications”. Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 5 (5): 212–27. doi:10.1177/2040622314532862. PMC 4131503. PMID 25177479.
  8. ↑ Swart E, Laratta J, Slobogean G, Mehta S (February 2017). “Operative Treatment of Rib Fractures in Flail Chest Injuries: A Meta-analysis and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis”. J Orthop Trauma. 31 (2): 64–70. doi:10.1097/BOT.0000000000000750. PMID 27984449.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Bruyninckx R, Aertgeerts B, Bruyninckx P, Buntinx F (2008). “Signs and symptoms in diagnosing acute myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndrome: a diagnostic meta-analysis”. Br J Gen Pract. 58 (547): 105–11. doi:10.3399/bjgp08X277014. PMC 2233977. PMID 18307844.
  10. ↑ Gaggin, Hanna K.; Januzzi, James L. (2013). “Biomarkers and diagnostics in heart failure”. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Molecular Basis of Disease. 1832 (12): 2442–2450. doi:10.1016/j.bbadis.2012.12.014. ISSN 0925-4439.
  11. ↑ van Steijn JH, Sleijfer DT, van der Graaf WT, van der Sluis A, Nieboer P (2002). “How to diagnose cardiac tamponade”. Neth J Med. 60 (8): 334–8. PMID 12481882.
  12. ↑ Martindale, Jennifer L.; Noble, Vicki E.; Liteplo, Andrew (2013). “Diagnosing pulmonary edema”. European Journal of Emergency Medicine. 20 (5): 356–360. doi:10.1097/MEJ.0b013e32835c2b88. ISSN 0969-9546.
  13. ↑ Debiasi RL, Tyler KL (2004). “Molecular methods for diagnosis of viral encephalitis”. Clin Microbiol Rev. 17 (4): 903–25, table of contents. doi:10.1128/CMR.17.4.903-925.2004. PMC 523566. PMID 15489354.
  14. ↑ McAllister TW (2011). “Neurobiological consequences of traumatic brain injury”. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 13 (3): 287–300. PMC 3182015. PMID 22033563.
  15. ↑ Peter JV, Sudarsan TI, Moran JL (2014). “Clinical features of organophosphate poisoning: A review of different classification systems and approaches”. Indian J Crit Care Med. 18 (11): 735–45. doi:10.4103/0972-5229.144017. PMC 4238091. PMID 25425841.
  16. ↑ Chin RL, Olson KR, Dempsey D (2007). “Salicylate toxicity from ingestion and continued dermal absorption”. Cal J Emerg Med. 8 (1): 23–5. PMC 2859737. PMID 20440389.
  17. ↑ Lane TR, Williamson WJ, Brostoff JM (2008). “Carbon monoxide poisoning in a patient with carbon dioxide retention: a therapeutic challenge”. Cases J. 1 (1): 102. doi:10.1186/1757-1626-1-102. PMC 2533003. PMID 18710551.
  18. ↑ Westerberg DP (March 2013). “Diabetic ketoacidosis: evaluation and treatment”. Am Fam Physician. 87 (5): 337–46. PMID 23547550.
  19. ↑ Taylor CB (2006). “Panic disorder”. BMJ. 332 (7547): 951–5. doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7547.951. PMC 1444835. PMID 16627512.
  20. ↑ Askim Ã…, Mehl A, Paulsen J, DeWan AT, Vestrheim DF, Ã…svold BO; et al. (2016). “Epidemiology and outcome of sepsis in adult patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in a Norwegian county 1993-2011: an observational study”. BMC Infect Dis. 16: 223. doi:10.1186/s12879-016-1553-8. PMC 4877975. PMID 27216810.
  21. ↑ Thomas R, Jenkins S, Eastwood PR, Lee YC, Singh B (July 2015). “Physiology of breathlessness associated with pleural effusions”. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 21 (4): 338–45. doi:10.1097/MCP.0000000000000174. PMC 5633324. PMID 25978627.
  22. ↑ Lechtzin N, Lange DJ, Davey C, Becker B, Mitsumoto H (January 2007). “Measures of dyspnea in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”. Muscle Nerve. 35 (1): 98–102. doi:10.1002/mus.20669. PMID 17029274.
  23. ↑ Tarui S (1995). “Glycolytic defects in muscle: aspects of collaboration between basic science and clinical medicine”. Muscle Nerve Suppl. 3: S2–9. PMID 7603522.
  24. ↑ Bailey PH (July 2004). “The dyspnea-anxiety-dyspnea cycle–COPD patients’ stories of breathlessness: “It’s scary /when you can’t breathe““. Qual Health Res. 14 (6): 760–78. doi:10.1177/1049732304265973. PMID 15200799.
  25. ↑ Neuman A, Gunnbjörnsdottir M, Tunsäter A, Nyström L, Franklin KA, Norrman E, Janson C (October 2006). “Dyspnea in relation to symptoms of anxiety and depression: A prospective population study”. Respir Med. 100 (10): 1843–9. doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2006.01.016. PMID 16516455.

Editor-In-Chief:
C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Eiman Ghaffarpasand, M.D. [2]