dyspnée

Dyspnée, or dyspnea in English, is the subjective sensation of breathing discomfort or the perception of not getting enough air. It is a symptom rather than a disease and can vary in intensity from mild awareness to life‑threatening distress. Dyspnea may occur at rest or with exertion and can be acute (hours to days) or chronic (months or longer). Patients may describe air hunger, chest tightness, or a feeling of suffocation.

Common classifications focus on onset, duration, and triggers, as well as the level of exertion required to provoke symptoms. Severity is often assessed with standardized scales such as the Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea scale or the Borg scale, which help quantify the impact on daily activities and guide management.

Causes of dyspnea are broad and usually fall into cardiopulmonary or noncardiopulmonary categories. Cardiopulmonary causes include heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, arrhythmias, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and interstitial lung disease. Other contributors include anemia, obesity with deconditioning, neuromuscular disorders, altitude, and anxiety.

Evaluation combines history, physical examination, and targeted testing. Clinicians assess onset, progression, associated symptoms, risk factors, and exposure history. Examination looks for signs such as tachypnea, use of accessory muscles, cyanosis, or edema. Investigations may include pulse oximetry, arterial blood gas, chest radiography, electrocardiography, spirometry, and echocardiography as indicated.

Management aims to treat the underlying cause and relieve symptoms. General measures include supplemental oxygen for hypoxemia when indicated, inhaled bronchodilators or steroids for obstructive diseases, diuretics for fluid overload, anticoagulation when pulmonary embolism is suspected, and careful monitoring.