Medical Problems: Shortness Of Breath (SOB)

OVERVIEW

Shortness of breath (SOB) is one of the those chief complaints whose differential should arguably be mastered by most all trainees. Given how complicated the differential can become, the process of understanding SOB might make someone short of breath themselves!

Shortness of breath is an important chief complaint to understand in medicine (source)
Shortness of breath is an important chief complaint to understand in medicine (source)
ORGANIZING THE DIFFERENTIAL

Differential diagnosis for SOB: there are a few different ways that we can organize this.

  • Organ systen
  • Disease category
  • Diagnostic modality