dyspnea
Difficulty drawing breath
Dyspnea is the medical term for difficult or labored breathing—the sensation of not getting enough air.
It ranges from mild shortness of breath during exertion to severe respiratory distress.
Doctors assess dyspnea as a symptom of conditions from asthma to heart failure: The patient presented with acute dyspnea.
Also spelled dyspnoea in British English.
Difficulty drawing air
- shortness of breathDifficulty inhaling enough air
- wheezingHarsh, whistling respiration
- labored breathingEffortful, strained respiration
- air hungerSensation of inadequate breathing
gasping · panting · chest tightness · tachypnea · shallow breathing · respiratory distress · difficulty breathing · suffocation
Chronic lung inflammation
- COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- bronchitisInflamed airway disease
- pneumoniaInfected, inflamed lung tissue
- emphysemaDamaged lung air sacs
lung disease · inhaler · nebulizer · spirometry · pulmonologist · bronchodilator · oxygen therapy · pleurisy
Sudden intense fear episode
- air hungerSensation of inadequate breathing
- chest tightnessPressure in torso cavity
- psychogenicCaused by the mind
- stress-inducedCaused by psychological pressure
fear · fight-or-flight · benzodiazepines · relaxation techniques · breathing exercises · paper bag · anxious
Inadequate blood pumping condition
- cardiomyopathyHeart muscle disorder
- anginaIschemic chest discomfort
- arrhythmiaAbnormal cardiac rhythm
- pulmonary edemaExcess fluid in lungs
congestive · palpitations · coronary · myocardial · atrial fibrillation · heart disease · circulation · cardiovascular
Caused by physical exertion
- overexertionHarmful excess of effort
- physical activityBodily movement expending energy
- climbing stairsMoving upward via steps
- walkingLocomotion on foot
fatigue · deconditioning · aerobic capacity · endurance · workout · strenuous · recovery · fitness
breathlessness
Difficulty drawing air
- shortness of breathDifficulty inhaling enough air
- wheezingHarsh, whistling respiration
- labored breathingEffortful, strained respiration
air hunger · gasping · panting · chest tightness · tachypnea · shallow breathing · respiratory distress · difficulty breathing · suffocation · oxygen deprivation
asthma
Chronic lung inflammation
- COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- bronchitisInflamed airway disease
- pneumoniaInfected, inflamed lung tissue
emphysema · lung disease · inhaler · nebulizer · spirometry · pulmonologist · bronchodilator · oxygen therapy · pleurisy · pulmonary embolism
panic attack
Sudden intense fear episode
- air hungerSensation of inadequate breathing
- chest tightnessPressure in torso cavity
- psychogenicCaused by the mind
stress-induced · fear · fight-or-flight · benzodiazepines · relaxation techniques · breathing exercises · paper bag · anxious
heart failure
Inadequate blood pumping condition
- cardiomyopathyHeart muscle disorder
- anginaIschemic chest discomfort
- arrhythmiaAbnormal cardiac rhythm
pulmonary edema · congestive · palpitations · coronary · myocardial · atrial fibrillation · heart disease · circulation · cardiovascular · BNP
exercise-induced
Caused by physical exertion
- overexertionHarmful excess of effort
- physical activityBodily movement expending energy
- climbing stairsMoving upward via steps
walking · fatigue · deconditioning · aerobic capacity · endurance · workout · strenuous · recovery · fitness · exertion
- breathingbreathing, inhalation, breath, exhalation, breathe
- Lungslungs, lung, bronchi, bronchus, alveoli
- Respirationbreathing, lungs, inhalation, inhaling, exhalation
- symptomsfever, headache, pain, nausea, rash
- swellingswelling, edema, bloating, puffiness, fluid retention
- endocarditis signsheart murmur, vegetations, regurgitation, fever, bacteremia