US Medical Term · symptoms
Shortness of Breath
Dificultad para respirar
Also: Falta de aire (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Shortness of Breath |
| Spanish (Español) | Dificultad para respirar |
| Chinese (中文) | 呼吸困難 |
| Korean (한국어) | 호흡 곤란 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Khó thở |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Hirap sa paghinga |
| Portuguese (Português) | Falta de ar |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | หายใจลำบาก |
| Japanese (日本語) | 息切れ |
What it means
Shortness of breath, also called dyspnea, is the feeling that you cannot breathe in enough air or that breathing takes extra effort. It may come on suddenly or develop slowly over time. Common causes include asthma, COPD, heart failure, anemia, anxiety, and lung infections like pneumonia. Mild breathlessness after exercise can be normal, but shortness of breath at rest, when lying flat, or accompanied by chest pain, dizziness, or blue lips requires immediate emergency care. Tell your doctor how long it has lasted and what makes it better or worse.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I feel like I can't catch my breath even when I'm sitting still.
Siento que no puedo recuperar el aliento aunque esté sentado/a quieto/a.
I get winded going up one flight of stairs.
Me quedo sin aliento subiendo un solo tramo de escaleras.
I had to sleep sitting up last night because lying flat made my breathing worse.
Anoche tuve que dormir sentado/a porque al acostarme me costaba más respirar.
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
R06 Abnormalities of breathingRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026