Question

You are in the ER and a 13 yr old is admitted into bed 1. The female is unable to talk secondary to increased shortness of breath. This is the second admission within 2 weeks. What are your suspicions and what are your recommendations?

Answer 1

Suspicions and Recommendations :

Shortness of breath refers to the laboured or difficult breathing , also called as Dyspnoea.  

Recurrent Shortness of breath in the teenage children may occur due to the following reasons:

* Asthma ( Allergic condition of hyperactive airways)

* Acute / Chronic bronchitis : Infection and inflammation of bonchial tubes leads to swelling and mucous build up , resulting in constricted air passages and dyspnoea.

* COPD : chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , a group of lund diseases that cause difficulty in breathing as resulting of the blockage of air flow.

* Exercise : Some children may get exercise induced bronchoconstriction

* Other causes : tight clothing, sedentary life style, prolonged period of bed rest, obesity heart diseases or altitude ( high altitude may cause dyspnoea)

Recommendations:

* Manage the dyspnoea by :

- Administer medications , as per physician's order, eespecially bronchodilators : to relieve dyspnoea .

Ex: Salbutamol , theophylline

Corticosteroids : to reduce inflammation in the airways . Ex: Methylprednisolone

* Privide semi sitting position to ease breathing by increased chest expansion

* Loosen any tight clothings

* Provide adequate amount of fluids

Prevention

* Instruct the patient and her parents

- to avoid the triggers of dyspnoea , if she is allergic

- Be physical active and maintain a healthy body weight

- treat the underlying disease condition

- Avoid exposure to dust and cold

- Strictly Follow the medication regimen.