symptoms
Shortness of Breath
息切れ (ikigire)
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) is the sensation of not being able to breathe easily or getting enough air. It can result from lung conditions (asthma, pneumonia, COPD), heart problems, anemia, or anxiety. Sudden severe shortness of breath accompanied by chest pain or bluish lips is a medical emergency and warrants calling 119 in Japan.
Emergency services in Japan are reached by calling 119 (救急, kyūkyū); clearly state 息切れ (ikigire) or 呼吸困難 (kokyū konnan) to dispatchers.
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Shortness of Breath |
| Japanese (日本語) | 息切れ |
| Chinese (中文) | 呼吸困难 |
| Korean (한국어) | 호흡 곤란 |
| Portuguese | Falta de ar |
| Spanish | Dificultad para respirar |
| Filipino | Hika |
| Thai | หายใจลำบาก |
| Vietnamese | Khó thở |
| Romanization | ikigire |
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Read the guide →Last reviewed: September 2026