Definition
The sensation of difficult or labored breathing, what normal people call 'shortness of breath' and medical professionals cloak in Greek terminology. It's the subjective feeling that breathing shouldn't be this much work.
Example Usage
The patient complained of dyspnea on exertion that had progressively worsened over the past month.
Origin
From Greek 'dys' (difficult) + 'pnoia' (breathing)
Fun Fact
Dyspnea is entirely subjective—respiratory rate and oxygen saturation can be completely normal while a patient experiences severe dyspnea, often seen in anxiety or panic disorders.
Source: Respiratory medicine and symptom assessment terminology
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