This book describes Dyspnea, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases
My lungs Breathe hard
Bring air to every part
Even if the air tubes are narrow
And the breath is shallow
As long as oxygen reach my cell
I shall still live my tale to tell
The dust from tiny fibers in the air
Has damaged my tube's inner lining and tiny hair
Tiny hairs that used to push dust and germs away
Are no longer moving and stuck in the clay
Of mucus, fibers, dust and dirt
How my air tubes really hurt
Each breath seems to be the last
Saved by the pressurized oxygen fast
Corticosteroids help to heal the scars
And bronchodilators help to expel the dust
-An original poem by Kenneth Kee
Dyspnea is the medical name for breathlessness or shortness of breath.
A person can be depicted as having dyspnea after walking a short distance or climbing up stairs.
It is normal to be short of breath when a person have over-exerted the body but when breathlessness happens suddenly and unexpectedly, it may be warning a medical disorder.
Dyspnea may involve:
a. Difficult breathing
b. Uncomfortable breathing
c. Feeling like the patient are not getting enough air
Oxygen is the source of life for all cells.
Oxygen is what gives life and vitality to the blood.
Every one lives on oxygen.
Oxygen is in the air every one breathes and is needed for the cells in the body to live.
If a person does not have oxygen completely for 4 minutes the cells in the brain and heart starts to die and because they cannot be replaced these organs will stop functioning and the person will die.
Oxygen is therefore vital for all living cells in the body.
When the person inhales, oxygen enters the alveoli (air sacs), and passes through their walls into the blood.
Oxygen is a gas element that the body requires to function.
Normally, the lungs take in oxygen from the air the person inhale.
When a person has dyspnea or breathlessness, oxygen is not reaching all the cells in the body with its full potential.
The muscles become sluggish, the nerves reacts slower, the airways do not get rid of mucus and dust as easily, the white cells do not fight germs as vigorously, the brain cells may become damaged and death may result.
Breathing in oxygen is thus an important function of the respiratory system.
Breathlessness or dyspnea can occur as a result of :
Lung diseases such as as asthma, bronchitis or lung cancer where inflow of oxygen is impeded
Heart diseases such as heart attack, heart failure, heart defects, or abnormal heart rhythms where insufficient blood flow carry less oxygen
Anxiety or Panic attack where tightness of chest causes reduced breathing
Unfit or obese person is unable to use the weaken muscles for breathing
Treatment Methods for Breathing Difficulties require:
Lifestyle Modification such as stopping smoking
Stress Reduction
Improved breathing methods to improve oxygen intake
Nutrition to strengthen the body health and muscles
Muscles strengthening improves chest muscle function
Oxygen therapy increases oxygen supply to body
Medical therapy such as:
Bronchodilators open airways
Corticosteroids reduce inflammation
Inhalers such as Inhaled ß2-adrenergic agonists, inhaled anticholinergics widens airways
Anxiolytics for anxiety in cases of tightened chest muscles
Heart medicines to treat heat diseases
Diuretics for heart failure
Opioids for palliative treatment of heart diseases
Cool air has been proven to reduce dyspnea
Low levels of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) have been shown to alleviate dyspnea during acute bronchoconstriction in asthma, in patients weaning from mechanical ve