Breathless Patient Aaqid Akram MBChB (2013) Clinical Education Fellow
Objectives Causes Quantifying breathlessness Associated Symptoms Effect on Daily Life
Causes AcuteChronicAcute and Chronic ExerciseObesityAsthma PneumoniaAllergic AlveolitisCOPD Myocardial InfarctionIndustrial/Occupational Lung Diseases Heart Failure PneumothoraxBronchiectasisAnaemia Pulmonary EmbolusMuscular Dystrophy/Myasthenia Gravis Arrhythmia AnxietyChronic Kidney/Liver conditions Cancers PainInterstitial Lung Disease Thyroid disorders
MRC Dyspnoea Score GradeDegree of breathlessness related to activities 1SOB on strenuous exercise 2SOB on hurrying or walking uphill 3 Walks slower than contemporaries due to SOB / Has to stop for breath at normal walking pace 4Stops for breath walking 100 metres / few minutes on level ground 5Cannot leave house / SOB on (un)dressing
Associated Symptoms Chest Pain Pain in arms/jaw/neck Oedema in legs Weight gain (fluid) Unusual fatigue Sweating Coloured sputum Fever Wheezing Persistent cough Cyanosis Feinting/dizzy spells Palpitations Neurological deficit Stress
Effect on Daily Life Exercise Mood Weight Appetite Communication ADL Energy
Objectives were: Causes Quantifying breathlessness Associated Symptoms Effect on Daily Life