Which term refers to difficult or labored breathing?

The term that refers to difficult or labored breathing is dyspnea. Dyspnea is a clinical symptom that describes the sensation of shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, which can result from various medical conditions, including respiratory and cardiac issues. It is important to recognize dyspnea as it can indicate an underlying health problem that may require medical attention.

Apnea refers to the temporary cessation of breathing, which is different from the sensation of difficult breathing. Hypoxia involves insufficient oxygen in the tissues, but it does not specifically describe the feeling of labored breathing. Bradypnea is a term for abnormally slow breathing, which also does not relate to the effort or difficulty experienced during breathing. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for identifying respiratory conditions and their implications in patient care.