• Several definitions have been used for dyspnoea
  • unpleasant or uncomfortable respiratory sensations
  • difficult, laboured, uncomfortable breathing
  • awareness of respiratory distress
  • the sensation of feeling breathless or experiencing air hunger
  • an uncomfortable sensation of breathing
• Dyspnoea is not an entirely physiological attribute - it is an unpleasant sensation

a subjective experience of breathing discomfort that consists of qualitatively distinct sensations that vary in intensity

• dyspnoea is a term used to characterize a subjective experience of breathing discomfort that consists of qualitatively distinct sensations that vary in intensity. The experience derives from interactions among multiple physiological, psychological, social, and environmental factors, and may induce secondary physiological and behavioural responses