06/01/2026
6 P’s of DYSPNEA :
感覺喘不過氣、呼吸費力或短促的症狀,
常見於心肺疾病(如哮喘、肺炎、心衰竭、COPD)或心理因素,表現為「胸悶」、「喘不過氣」等 .
呼吸急促 (Tachypnea):
呼吸頻率加快。
呼吸窘迫 (Respiratory Distress):
呼吸費力,常伴隨外在表現。
空氣飢/空氣饑渴 (Air Hunger):
極度渴望空氣的感覺。
Dyspnea – Definition
→ Subjective sensation of difficult or uncomfortable breathing
→ Indicates respiratory, cardiac, vascular, or airway pathology
1️⃣ Pulmonary Bronchial Constriction
→ Narrowing of airways → increased airway resistance
Common Causes
→ Bronchial asthma
→ COPD (chronic bronchitis, emphysema)
→ Anaphylaxis
→ Bronchospasm (drugs, allergens)
Clinical Clues
→ Wheezing
→ Prolonged expiration
→ Use of accessory muscles
→ Improved with bronchodilators
2️⃣ Possible Foreign Body (Upper Airway Obstruction)
→ Mechanical blockage of upper airway (larynx/trachea)
Common Causes
→ Foreign body aspiration
→ Laryngeal edema
→ Tumors
→ Post-intubation stenosis
Clinical Clues
→ Sudden onset dyspnea
→ Stridor (inspiratory)
→ Voice change
→ Choking episode (especially in children)
⚠️ Airway emergency
3️⃣ Pulmonary Embolus
→ Acute obstruction of pulmonary arteries → ventilation-perfusion mismatch
Common Causes
→ Deep vein thrombosis
→ Post-surgery / immobilization
→ Malignancy
→ Pregnancy / OCP use
Clinical Clues
→ Sudden dyspnea
→ Pleuritic chest pain
→ Tachycardia
→ Hemoptysis (sometimes)
→ Normal chest auscultation possible
4️⃣ Pneumothorax
→ Air in pleural space → lung collapse
Common Causes
→ Spontaneous (primary/secondary)
→ Trauma
→ Mechanical ventilation
Clinical Clues
→ Sudden unilateral dyspnea
→ Sharp chest pain
→ Reduced breath sounds on one side
→ Hyperresonance on percussion
→ Tracheal deviation (tension pneumothorax)
⚠️ Tension pneumothorax = immediate decompression
5️⃣ Pump Failure (Cardiac Cause)
→ Inadequate cardiac output → pulmonary congestion
Common Causes
→ Left ventricular failure
→ Acute myocardial infarction
→ Valvular heart disease
→ Cardiomyopathy
Clinical Clues
→ Orthopnea
→ Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
→ Basal crepitations
→ Raised JVP
→ Peripheral edema
6️⃣ Pneumonia
→ Infection of lung parenchyma → impaired gas exchange
Common Causes
→ Bacterial pneumonia
→ Viral pneumonia
→ Aspiration pneumonia
Clinical Clues
→ Fever
→ Cough with sputum
→ Pleuritic chest pain
→ Crackles / bronchial breath sounds
→ Hypoxia