Hingamisraskust

Hingamisraskust is a Finnish-language term used in medical literature to describe dyspnea, the subjective experience of breathlessness or difficulty breathing. It is a symptom rather than a disease and can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening shortness of breath.

Symptoms include rapid or shallow breathing, a sense of suffocation, chest tightness, and an urgent need to sit upright. Speech may become difficult as breathlessness worsens. Visible signs can include a fast pulse, sweating, and low blood oxygen saturation.

Causes are diverse and can involve the heart or lungs, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, heart failure, or pulmonary embolism. Other contributing factors include anemia, obesity, deconditioning, anxiety, infections, smoking, and high altitude. Acute dyspnea requires prompt evaluation to rule out dangerous conditions.

Diagnosis involves history-taking, physical examination, and vital signs, followed by targeted tests. Common investigations include pulse oximetry, chest radiography, electrocardiography, blood tests, spirometry, and echocardiography; more specialized imaging or scans may be used based on the suspected cause.

Management depends on the underlying condition. Acute episodes may be treated with supplemental oxygen, bronchodilators, diuretics, or analgesia as appropriate, while chronic dyspnea is managed with disease-specific therapies, pulmonary rehabilitation, and lifestyle adjustments. Addressing triggers and ensuring timely medical care for warning signs are important.

Prevention focuses on managing chronic diseases, avoiding risk factors, vaccination, and cessation of smoking. Prognosis varies widely with the cause and overall health, ranging from reversible conditions to those requiring long-term management.