What is the medical term for difficulty in breathing?

The term "dyspnea" specifically refers to difficulty or discomfort in breathing. It is used in medical contexts to describe various degrees of breathlessness, which can be caused by conditions affecting the lungs, heart, or other systems in the body. Understanding this term is essential for personal care assistants, as they may encounter patients who experience breathing difficulties due to various health issues.

Dysuria refers to painful or difficult urination, which is unrelated to breathing. Dysphagia describes difficulty in swallowing, which pertains to the throat and esophagus rather than the respiratory system. Dyspraxia is a condition that affects coordination and movement, not directly related to breathing difficulties. Therefore, in this context, dyspnea is the correct medical term for difficulty in breathing.