Many illnesses can cause difficulty breathing, which is also called dyspnea.
| Problem | Possible Cause |
| Dyspnea with anxiety | panic attack, acute hyperventilation, asthma |
| Dyspnea lying flat | congestive heart failure |
| Dyspnea while eating | choking, aspiration pneumonia |
| Dyspnea with chest pain | pneumothorax, pneumonia |
| Dyspnea with cough | bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, asthma |
| Dyspnea with croupy cough | croup, epiglottitis |
| Dyspnea with difficulty speaking | allergic reaction, epiglottitis, Ludwig's angina |
| Dyspnea with difficulty swallowing | allergic reaction, epiglottitis, Ludwig's angina |
| Dyspnea with exertion | congestive heart failure, asthma |
| Dyspnea with fainting | allergic reaction, congenital heart disease |
| Dyspnea with fever | bronchitis, pneumonia |
| Dyspnea with hives | allergic reaction |
| Dyspnea with nausea | congenital heart disease |
| Dyspnea with wheezing | bronchitis, asthma, bronchiolitis |
| Dyspnea upon waking | congestive heart failure, asthma |
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