What is the medical term for shortness of breath?

The medical term for shortness of breath is dyspnea. This condition refers specifically to the subjective experience of breathing discomfort, which can manifest as difficulty breathing, a sense of inadequate air, or an increase in the effort required to breathe. Dyspnea can result from a variety of underlying causes, including respiratory or cardiac conditions, and is an important symptom that healthcare providers assess in patients to gauge their respiratory health.

Aspiration refers to the inhalation of food, liquid, or other material into the lungs, which can lead to complications such as pneumonia, but it does not describe shortness of breath itself. Dysphagia denotes difficulty swallowing and is unrelated to the respiratory process. Hyperventilation implies an increase in the rate and depth of breathing, which may lead to feelings of lightheadedness or tingling but does not equate with the sensation of shortness of breath. Thus, dyspnea is the most accurate descriptor for shortness of breath, effectively capturing this important clinical symptom.