National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Swyer-James syndrome

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I am so, so short of breath, most of the time. Walking the short distance to my mail box, leaves me out of breath. I am using a Symbicort Inhaler, but is there anything else that I might use?
For most people with Swyer-James syndrome, treatment aims to control symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, and recurring infections. Currently there are no established treatment recommendations for Swyer-James syndrome to guide care. However treatment is usually described as "conservative." Also, regular monitoring and prompt treatment of infection is important.[1]

The University of Rochester provides information on managing shortness of breath at the following link which you may find helpful:
http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=34&ContentID=21274-1

For detailed information on ways to manage shortness of breath, visit the following link to the Official Statement of the American Thoracic Society on Dyspnea: Mechanisms, Assessment, and Management (PDF). We recommend that you review this information and your question further with your healthcare provider:
http://www.thoracic.org/statements./resources/archive/dyspnea1-20.pdf

In addition, it is important to mention that some people with Swyer-James syndrome have no symptoms and do not require treatment. Rarely people with this syndrome have severe and persisting symptoms requiring surgery.[1]
Last updated: 9/18/2014

We hope this information is helpful. We strongly recommend you discuss this information with your doctor. If you still have questions, please contact us.

Warm regards,
GARD Information Specialist

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  1. Yekeler E. A rare case of swyer-james macleod syndrome and a new clinical presentation, acquired lobar emphysema. Ann Thorac Surg. 2012 May; 93(5):e123-5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22541234. Accessed 9/18/2014.