Dyspnea

Dyspnea, also called shortness of breath, is an uncomfortable feeling of not being able to breathe well enough. The American Thoracic Society defines it as a subjective experience of breathing discomfort that consists of qualitatively distinct sensations that vary in intensity, and recommends evaluating it by assessing the intensity of its distinct sensations, the degree of distress and discomfort involved, and its impact on activities of daily living. Distinct sensations include effort or work to breathe, chest tightness or pain, and air hunger, and the tripod position is often assumed as a sign.