Shortness of breath, numbness in hands and feet

When our emotions fluctuate greatly, we may experience shortness of breath and numbness in our hands and feet. But everyone should also note that in addition to mood swings, some diseases can also cause these symptoms. Especially respiratory diseases, such as asthma, respiratory allergies, etc. It is recommended that you go to the hospital for examination in time when you experience shortness of breath or numbness in your hands and feet to avoid delaying treatment.

Tachypnea is rapid, shallow breathing, with a respiratory rate of more than 24 breaths per minute. It is a common respiratory symptom in clinical practice. It is often an early symptom of respiratory diseases or respiratory insufficiency caused by lesions of organs or tissues that control and affect breathing. Further worsening of the disease may lead to respiratory distress or difficulty breathing, or even respiratory failure, which is life-threatening. Due to the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the respiratory system, infants are more likely to experience shortness of breath and respiratory distress once illness affects their breathing. Treatment should focus on finding the primary disease causing shortness of breath and treating the cause. Provide airway opening, improved ventilation and oxygen supply.

There are many reasons for shortness of breath, which may be caused by diseases of the respiratory system itself, or by diseases of the central nervous system, cardiovascular, abdominal, gastrointestinal, metabolic, endocrine and blood systems. Rapid and shallow breathing is seen in respiratory muscle paralysis, severe bloating, ascites and obesity, as well as lung diseases such as pneumonia, pleurisy, pleural effusion and pneumothorax. Deep and rapid breathing is seen during strenuous exercise because the body's increased oxygen supply requires increased gas exchange in the lungs. In addition, when one is emotionally excited or overly nervous, one often breathes deeply and rapidly, and hyperventilates. At this time, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the arterial blood decreases, causing respiratory alkali poisoning. Patients often feel numbness around the mouth and extremities. In severe cases, tetany and respiratory arrest may occur. In severe metabolic acidosis, deep and slow breathing also occurs. This is because the extracellular fluid bicarbonate is insufficient and the pH is lowered, so the lungs expel CO2 to compensate and regulate the extracellular acid-base balance. This is seen in diabetic ketoacidosis and uremic acidosis. This deep breathing is also called Kussmaul breathing.

A careful history and physical examination can usually provide the likely site and cause of the lesion. In addition to respiratory rate, depth, rhythm, symmetry, respiratory effort (respiratory muscle work) and lung auscultation, the physical examination assessment also includes general reactions, state of consciousness, vital signs (heart rate, pulse, blood pressure, body temperature, etc.) and systemic circulation perfusion, so as to understand the severity of the disease. If necessary, perform tests such as peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), breath-hold test, and respiratory muscle function measurement.