What is the medical term for difficulty breathing?

The term for difficulty breathing is dyspnea. This medical condition can manifest as shortness of breath, which may arise from various underlying causes, such as respiratory or cardiac issues. Dyspnea is an essential term in clinical practice as it helps healthcare providers communicate effectively about a patient's respiratory status and assess the severity of their condition.

In contrast, asthma is a chronic condition that causes episodes of wheezing and breathlessness but does not specifically denote difficulty in breathing. Tachypnea refers to an increased respiratory rate, which can occur in various situations, including stress or illness, but does not explicitly describe the sensation of difficulty breathing. Hypopnea denotes abnormally shallow breathing, which can also lead to discomfort but is not synonymous with the broader term dyspnea. Therefore, dyspnea is the most accurate term to describe the general experience of difficulty in breathing.