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Shortness of Breath (SOB)

Dyspnoea: definition

The subjective awareness of shortness of breath.

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Differential diagnosis: acute dyspnoea

A
- obstruction
- anaphylaxis

B
- pneumothorax (tension / non-tension)
- asthma
- COPD exacerbation
- pneumonia
- pulmonary oedema
- ARDS

C
- LVF (arrhythmia / tamponade)
- MS
- PE

Systemic
- metabolic (decreased pH)
- neurological (Guillian Barre syndrome)

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Differential diagnosis: chronic dyspnoea

CVS
- CCF
- ‘angina-equivalent’

Pulmonary
- chronic PE
- effusion
- COPD
- cancer
- intersitial lung disease

Systemic
- decreased Hb
- neurological
- obesity

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