Diagnosis:

Before treatment can be prescribed, the physician will need to determine what is causing the shortness of breath. Because people describe shortness of breath in a variety of ways, physicians have developed detailed questionnaires to help narrow the diagnosis.

In addition, physicians may run tests that include a chest x-ray (which produces a picture of the general size, shape, and structure of the heart and lungs) and/or an electrocardiogram (EKG, which painlessly measures the electrical activity of the heart). Depending on the results of these tests, other tests that may be run include the following:

• Echocardiogram. A test that uses sound waves to visualize the structures and functions of the heart.

• Pulmonary function test. A painless test for determining how well the lungs are functioning. It measures how much air the lungs can hold and how fast air can be moved in and out of the lungs.

• Arterial blood gases. An analysis of the oxygen and carbon dioxide from a blood sample.

• Computed axial tomography (CAT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging. These imaging tests may be ordered to help detect the presence or spread of certain cancers.

Once the cause of the shortness of breath has been determined, then appropriate treatment can begin. Medications may be prescribed to control symptoms. Also, lifestyle changes (e.g., less strenuous physical activity or weight loss) may help relieve the symptoms of the underlying disorder. The type of treatment will always depend on the cause of the shortness of breath (e.g., smoking history, cancer, heart disease, etc.) and additional factors.