Moderate to severe difficulty breathing in adults and older children
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Moderate to severe difficulty breathing in adults and older children
Difficulty breathing can occur when the body's lungs or heart are not working well.
Symptoms of moderate difficulty breathing
- Air hunger. The person feels like he or she can't get enough air.
- Shallow or slightly labored breathing
- Difficulty breathing at rest or after even mild exertion
- Shortness of breath that makes speaking difficult
Symptoms of severe difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness so severe that the person is worried being strong enough or able to keep breathing
- Shortness of breath makes speaking almost impossible
- Severe wheezing
- Anxiety, fear, agitation, or restlessness
- Extreme drowsiness, difficulty waking up, or responding slowly (lethargy)
Credits
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 25, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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