Acil serviste nefes darliǧi olan hastaya yaklaşim

Dyspnea is a medical term describing the subjective sensation of breathlessness. Dyspnea is one of the most common complaints in people presenting to the emergency department. Chest tightness, shortness of breath, air hunger, and diffuculty or discomfort in breathing are some of the terms used by patients to describe the symptom of dyspnea. Approximately two-third of patients presenting to the emergency department with dyspnea have either a cardiac or a pulmonary disorder. An emergency physician can usually distinguish these on the basis of history, physical examination and, occasionally, ancillary tests. Although the pathophysiology of dyspnea is complex and poorly understood, the amount of dyspnea usually correlates with the severity of the causative illness. The complaint of dyspnea should never be taken lightly by the physician. This review article is including emergency approach of dyspnea for emergency physicians.