Related Experiment Videos
Evaluation of dyspnea in the elderly
Donald A Mahler1, Gustavo Fierro-Carrion, John C Baird
1Dartmouth Medical School, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03755-0001, USA. donald.a.mahler@hitchcock.org
Clinics in Geriatric Medicine
|May 9, 2003
Summary
Dyspnea, a complex sensation of breathing discomfort, is defined by the American Thoracic Society. This definition clarifies its nature as a subjective experience with varying qualities and intensities.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Symptom Perception
Background:
- Dyspnea is a multifaceted term with varied interpretations in clinical practice.
- Physicians and nurses commonly associate dyspnea with labored breathing or an uneasy awareness of respiration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the American Thoracic Society's definition of dyspnea.
- To clarify the subjective nature and qualitative distinctions of dyspnea.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of dyspnea definitions.
- Analysis of clinical usage by healthcare professionals.
- Incorporation of the American Thoracic Society's official definition.
Main Results:
- Dyspnea is characterized as a subjective experience.
- It involves qualitatively distinct sensations.
- The intensity of these sensations can vary significantly.
Conclusions:
- The American Thoracic Society provides a standardized definition for dyspnea.
- This definition emphasizes the subjective and variable nature of breathing discomfort.
- A clear understanding of dyspnea is crucial for accurate diagnosis and patient care.