Differential Diagnosis for Chronic Dyspnea
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): This is a common cause of chronic dyspnea, especially in smokers or those with a history of smoking. COPD is characterized by airflow limitation and is often associated with chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Heart failure: This condition can cause chronic dyspnea due to the heart's inability to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs.
- Asthma: A chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that can cause recurring episodes of wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD): A group of disorders that affect the interstitium of the lung, leading to scarring and inflammation, which can cause chronic dyspnea.
- Pulmonary embolism (chronic or recurrent): Although often thought of as an acute condition, chronic or recurrent pulmonary emboli can cause chronic dyspnea.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Pneumonia (especially if recurrent or persistent): While often an acute condition, some forms of pneumonia can lead to chronic symptoms if not properly treated.
- Lung cancer: Can cause chronic dyspnea due to tumor growth obstructing airways or causing fluid buildup in the lungs.
- Pulmonary hypertension: A condition characterized by high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, which can lead to right heart failure and chronic dyspnea.
- Cardiac tamponade: Fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac can compress the heart, leading to impaired cardiac filling and chronic dyspnea.
Rare Diagnoses
- Cystic fibrosis: A genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system, leading to chronic dyspnea.
- Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM): A rare lung disease that affects mostly women, causing cystic lung lesions and leading to chronic dyspnea.
- Eosinophilic granuloma with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome): A rare autoimmune condition that can cause chronic dyspnea due to inflammation and damage to the lungs.
- Sarcoidosis: An inflammatory disease that can affect multiple organs, including the lungs, leading to chronic dyspnea.