respiratory distress
Struggling for air
Respiratory distress is difficulty breathing—labored, rapid, or insufficient respiration that signals the body isn't getting enough oxygen.
In medicine, it describes a clinical state requiring intervention: The infant showed signs of respiratory distress.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe, life-threatening lung condition.
The phrase also appears in everyday contexts: She was in visible respiratory distress after climbing the stairs.
Labored respiration condition
- shortness of breathDifficulty inhaling enough air
- wheezingHarsh, whistling respiration
- tachypneaAbnormally quick breathing rate
- hypoxiaInsufficient tissue oxygenation
cyanosis · labored breathing · gasping · breathlessness · chest tightness · stridor · air hunger · shallow breathing
Infected, inflamed lung tissue
- asthma attackAcute respiratory distress episode
- bronchospasmInvoluntary narrowing of airways
- pulmonary embolismClot blocking lung artery
- anaphylaxisSevere systemic allergic reaction
pulmonary edema · aspiration · allergic reaction · smoke inhalation · drowning · overdose · sepsis · COVID-19
Placing airway tube
- ventilatorMechanical breathing apparatus
- oxygen therapyAdministered breathing gas treatment
- CPREmergency revival technique
- resuscitationRestoring vital functions
ambulance · paramedics · tracheostomy · airway obstruction · asphyxiation · chest compressions · triage · ER
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- hyperventilationAbnormally rapid respiration
- fearEmotional response to threat
- breathlessnessDifficulty drawing air
- suffocationFatal lack of air
claustrophobia · palpitations · fight-or-flight · overwhelm · psychogenic · breath-holding · chest tightness · air hunger
Mist-making breathing apparatus
- inhalerPortable respiratory medication device
- bronchodilatorMedication widening lung passages
- albuterolBronchodilator for asthma
- oxygen maskFace-worn breathing apparatus
CPAP · BiPAP · epinephrine · corticosteroids · pulmonologist · spirometry · chest x-ray · mechanical ventilation
dyspnea
Labored respiration condition
- shortness of breathDifficulty inhaling enough air
- wheezingHarsh, whistling respiration
- tachypneaAbnormally quick breathing rate
hypoxia · cyanosis · labored breathing · gasping · breathlessness · chest tightness · stridor · air hunger · shallow breathing · retractions
pneumonia
Infected, inflamed lung tissue
- asthma attackAcute respiratory distress episode
- bronchospasmInvoluntary narrowing of airways
- pulmonary embolismClot blocking lung artery
anaphylaxis · pulmonary edema · aspiration · allergic reaction · smoke inhalation · drowning · overdose · sepsis · COVID-19 · croup
intubation
Placing airway tube
- ventilatorMechanical breathing apparatus
- oxygen therapyAdministered breathing gas treatment
- CPREmergency revival technique
resuscitation · ambulance · paramedics · tracheostomy · airway obstruction · asphyxiation · chest compressions · triage · ER · ICU
panic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- hyperventilationAbnormally rapid respiration
- fearEmotional response to threat
- breathlessnessDifficulty drawing air
suffocation · claustrophobia · palpitations · fight-or-flight · overwhelm · psychogenic · breath-holding · chest tightness · air hunger · trembling
nebulizer
Mist-making breathing apparatus
- inhalerPortable respiratory medication device
- bronchodilatorMedication widening lung passages
- albuterolBronchodilator for asthma
oxygen mask · CPAP · BiPAP · epinephrine · corticosteroids · pulmonologist · spirometry · chest x-ray · mechanical ventilation · suctioning
- Newborn Lung Conditionspneumothorax
- breathingbreathing, inhalation, breath, exhalation, breathe
- Emergency MedicineEMT, emergency medicine, EMS, paramedic, paramedics
- allergy symptomshives, sneezing, itching, rash, swelling
- Respiratory Problemsasthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, COPD, emphysema
- breathing problemsapnea, hypoxia, asphyxiation, suffocation, oxygen deprivation
distress, respiration, distressful, respiratory, respire, respiring, respires, respirations, respired