[Sudden dyspnea]

Dyspnea is abnormal respiration experienced as unpleasant, concomitant with excessive respiratory labor. This review limits differential diagnoses of dyspnea to common pulmonary causes in which dyspnea often assumes a "sudden" character. Restrictive diseases of lung parenchyma are therefore not covered. The following disease states are illustrated with respect to history, clinical presentation and emergency treatment: hyperventilation-syndrome, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, central airway-stenosis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In the case of asthma the conception of "home management" and telemedicine are presented.