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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 with Normal auscultation

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

Angioedema[1] – – – – – +/- – +/- – + Normal Normal ↓O2, ↑CO2 Normal N/A Physical exam Generalized edema
Rhinosinusitis[2] – – – + – +/- – – – – Normal ↑WBC Normal Air fluid level Normal Physical exam Headache
Chest and Pleura,

Lower airway

Pulmonary embolism[3] – – – – + – – – – – Normal Normal Respiratory alkalosis Normal Normal Pulmonary CT angiography Pleuritic chest pain
Rib fractures (flail chest)[4] – + – – + – – – – – Normal Normal Respiratory acidosis Fracture marks Normal Chest X-ray Pneumothorax
Cardiovascular system Acute myocardial ischemia[5] +/- + – +/- + – – – – – Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Cardiac troponin I Nausea and vomiting, Positive pertinent risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and smoking
Acute heart failure[6] +/- + – – +/- + + – + + 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[7] +/- – – – + – – – + – Muffled heart sounds Normal Normal Water bottle appearance enlarged heart Normal Echocardiography Fluid accumulation in pericardium
Tachyarrhythmia[5] +/- + – – +/- – – – – – High pulse rate Normal Normal Normal Normal ECG Palpitation
Central nervous system Stroke + – – +/- – – – – – – Normal Normal Normal Intracranial infarct or hemorrhage Normal Brain MRI Paralysis or paresthesia
Encephalitis[8] + + – + – – – – – – Normal ↑WBC, neutrophilia Normal Normal Normal CSF PCR Confusion
Traumatic brain injury[9] + +/- – – – – – – – – Normal Normal Respiratory acidosis Intracerebral hemorrhage Normal Brain CT scan Lucid interval
Toxic/Metabolic Salicylate poisoning[10] + – – – – – + – – – Normal Normal Metabolic acidosis, Respiratory alkalosis Normal Normal Blood test Vomiting, Tinnitus, Confusion, Hyperthermia
Systemic Panic attack[11] +/- + – – – – – – – – Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Clinical assessment Severe anxiety
Pregnancy[12] – – – – +/- – – – – + Normal ↑WBC, RBC ↓O2, ↑CO2 Normal ↓Vt, ↑RV βhCG Missed period, Hyperemesis
Sepsis[13] +/- – – + – – – – – – 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 Head and Neck,

Upper airway

Goiter[14] – – – – – – – – – + Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Blood test (TSH, T4) Weight gain
Chest and Pleura,

Lower airway

Pulmonary hypertension[15] – – – – +/- +/- +/- +/- + + Accentuated S2 Normal Hypoxia and acidosis Enlarged pulmonary arteries ↑Physiologic RV Cardiac catheterization Syncope,

Ascites, Pleural effusion

Diaphragmatic paralysis[16] – – – +/- +/- +/- – – – – Normal Normal Normal Unilateral or bilateral diaphragmatic flattening ↓Vt, ↑RV

(anatomical)

CXR confirmed by fluoroscopic sniff test Respiratory insufficiency
Cardiovascular system Constrictive pericarditis[7] – – – – + – – – + – Muffled heart sounds Normal Normal Calcifications  Normal Chest CT scan Syncope
Restrictive cardiomyopathy[17] – – – – + – – – – +/- Normal Normal Normal Dilatation of the inferior vena cava and right atrium Normal Right ventricular biopsy Weight gain,

Nausea

Valvular heart disease[5] – – – – + – – – – – Cardiac murmur Normal Normal Dilatation of heart chambers Normal Echocardiography Syncope, Palpitation
Bradyarrhythmia[18] – – – – – – – – – – Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal ECG Syncope, Palpitation
Pericardial effusion[19] – – – +/- + + – – + – Muffled heart sounds Normal Normal Fluid density around the heart Normal M-mode and 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiography Hoarseness, Palpitation
Coronary heart disease[5] – +/- – – + – – – – – Normal Normal ↓O2 Normal Normal Cardiac troponin I Nausea, Lightheadedness, Sweating
Intracardiac shunt[20] – – – – +/- – + + – – Cardiac continuous murmur Normal ↓O2 Dilatation of heart chambers Normal Echocardiography Syncope, Palpitation
Neuromuscular disease Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis[21] +/- – +/- – – – – – – – Normal ↑WBC Normal Normal ↓Vt, ↑RV Revised El Escorial criteria (clinical) Muscle weakness, Dysphagia
Polymyositis/dermatomyositis[22] – – +/- – + – – – – +/- Normal ↑WBC Normal Normal ↓Vt, ↑RV Muscle biopsy Muscle weakness, Heliotrope
Glycolytic enzyme defects (e.g., McArdle)[23] +/- – – – – – – – – +/- Normal Normal Normal Normal ↓Vt, ↑RV Muscle biopsy (ragged red fibers) Myoglobinuria,

Muscle weakness

Toxic/Metabolic Metabolic acidosis[24] – – + – – – – – – – Normal Normal Metabolic acidosis, Respiratory alkalosis Normal Normal ABG Confusion, Vomiting
Renal failure[25] – – + – – – – – – + Normal ↓ RBC Metabolic acidosis Normal Normal Cr Nausea, Vomiting, Oliguria
Systemic Anemia[26] – – + – – – – – – – Normal ↓ RBC ↓O2 Normal Normal HGB, MCV Weakness, Fatigue
Anxiety[27] + + + – +/- +/- – – – – Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Psychological interview Sweating, Palpitation
Ascites[28] – – – – – – – – – – Normal Normal Normal Peritoneal fluid accumulation ↓Vt, ↑RV Abdominal ultrasound Abdominal distention
Depression[29] – + + – – – – – – – Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Psychological interview Depressed mood, Fatigue
Obesity[30] – – – – – – – – – – Normal Normal ↓O2 Normal ↓Vt, ↑RV

(anatomical)

BMI Low stamina,

Sweating

References

  1. ↑ Bernstein JA, Cremonesi P, Hoffmann TK, Hollingsworth J (2017). “Angioedema in the emergency department: a practical guide to differential diagnosis and management”. Int J Emerg Med. 10 (1): 15. doi:10.1186/s12245-017-0141-z. PMC 5389952. PMID 28405953.
  2. ↑ Meltzer EO, Hamilos DL (2011). “Rhinosinusitis diagnosis and management for the clinician: a synopsis of recent consensus guidelines”. Mayo Clin Proc. 86 (5): 427–43. doi:10.4065/mcp.2010.0392. PMC 3084646. PMID 21490181.
  3. ↑ BÄ•lohlávek J, Dytrych V, Linhart A (2013). “Pulmonary embolism, part I: Epidemiology, risk factors and risk stratification, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism”. Exp Clin Cardiol. 18 (2): 129–38. PMC 3718593. PMID 23940438.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 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.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 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.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ McAllister TW (2011). “Neurobiological consequences of traumatic brain injury”. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 13 (3): 287–300. PMC 3182015. PMID 22033563.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ Taylor CB (2006). “Panic disorder”. BMJ. 332 (7547): 951–5. doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7547.951. PMC 1444835. PMID 16627512.
  12. ↑ Lee SY, Chien DK, Huang CH, Shih SC, Lee WC, Chang WH (August 2017). “Dyspnea in pregnancy”. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 56 (4): 432–436. doi:10.1016/j.tjog.2017.04.035. PMID 28805596.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ Stang MT, Armstrong MJ, Ogilvie JB, Yip L, McCoy KL, Faber CN, Carty SE (July 2012). “Positional dyspnea and tracheal compression as indications for goiter resection”. Arch Surg. 147 (7): 621–6. doi:10.1001/archsurg.2012.96. PMID 22430090.
  15. ↑ Sajkov D, Petrovsky N, Palange P (June 2010). “Management of dyspnea in advanced pulmonary arterial hypertension”. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 4 (2): 76–84. doi:10.1097/SPC.0b013e328338c1e0. PMID 20407377.
  16. ↑ Dubé BP, Dres M (2016). “Diaphragm Dysfunction: Diagnostic Approaches and Management Strategies”. J Clin Med. 5 (12). doi:10.3390/jcm5120113. PMC 5184786. PMID 27929389.
  17. ↑ Nakamura M, Satoh M, Kowada S, Satoh H, Tashiro A, Sato F, Masuda T, Hiramori K (February 2002). “Reversible restrictive cardiomyopathy due to light-chain deposition disease”. Mayo Clin. Proc. 77 (2): 193–6. doi:10.4065/77.2.193. PMID 11838655.
  18. ↑ Barstow C, McDivitt JD (March 2017). “Cardiovascular Disease Update: Bradyarrhythmias”. FP Essent. 454: 18–23. PMID 28266824.
  19. ↑ Jung HO (2012). “Pericardial effusion and pericardiocentesis: role of echocardiography”. Korean Circ J. 42 (11): 725–34. doi:10.4070/kcj.2012.42.11.725. PMC 3518705. PMID 23236323.
  20. ↑ Vodoz JF, Cottin V, Glérant JC, Derumeaux G, Khouatra C, Blanchet AS; et al. (2009). “Right-to-left shunt with hypoxemia in pulmonary hypertension”. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 9: 15. doi:10.1186/1471-2261-9-15. PMC 2671488. PMID 19335916.
  21. ↑ 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.
  22. ↑ Schwarz MI, Matthay RA, Sahn SA, Stanford RE, Marmorstein BL, Scheinhorn DJ (January 1976). “Interstitial lung disease in polymyositis and dermatomyositis: analysis of six cases and review of the literature”. Medicine (Baltimore). 55 (1): 89–104. PMID 1246203.
  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. ↑ Lane R, Adams L (1993). “Metabolic acidosis and breathlessness during exercise and hypercapnia in man”. J Physiol. 461: 47–61. PMC 1175244. PMID 8350272.
  25. ↑ DePalo LR (May 2002). “Fatal dyspnea in a patient with renal failure”. Mt. Sinai J. Med. 69 (3): 113–20. PMID 12035070.
  26. ↑ Sengupta A, Saha K, Jash D, Banerjee SN (2013). “Dyspnea with anemia turned out to be a case of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia”. Asian J Transfus Sci. 7 (1): 75–8. doi:10.4103/0973-6247.106745. PMC 3613670. PMID 23559772.
  27. ↑ 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.
  28. ↑ Perri GA (2013). “Ascites in patients with cirrhosis”. Can Fam Physician. 59 (12): 1297–9, e538–40. PMC 3860926. PMID 24336542.
  29. ↑ 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.
  30. ↑ Sin DD, Jones RL, Man SF (July 2002). “Obesity is a risk factor for dyspnea but not for airflow obstruction”. Arch. Intern. Med. 162 (13): 1477–81. PMID 12090884.

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