Differential Diagnosis for Shortness of Breath (SOB)
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): This is a common cause of SOB, especially in smokers or those with a history of smoking. COPD is characterized by chronic inflammation and airflow limitation in the lungs, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Asthma: A chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that can cause recurring episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
- Heart Failure: A condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs.
- Pneumonia: An infection of the lungs that can cause symptoms such as coughing, fever, chills, and shortness of breath.
- Pulmonary Embolism: A blockage of an artery in the lungs that can cause sudden and severe shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Cardiac Tamponade: A life-threatening condition where fluid accumulates in the sac surrounding the heart, compressing it and preventing it from pumping properly. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, and hypotension.
- Tension Pneumothorax: A life-threatening condition where air accumulates in the space between the lungs and chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. Symptoms include sudden and severe shortness of breath, chest pain, and hypotension.
- Acute Coronary Syndrome: A condition where the blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked, causing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and electrocardiogram (ECG) changes.
Rare Diagnoses
- Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system, leading to symptoms such as chronic coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
- Lymphangitic Carcinomatosis: A rare condition where cancer spreads to the lymphatic vessels in the lungs, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain.
- Sarcoidosis: A rare inflammatory disease that can affect multiple organs, including the lungs, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain.