Descriptor |
Pathophysiologic mechanism |
Disease state |
Chest tightness or constriction |
Bronchochonstriction, interstitial edema |
Asthma |
Myocardial ischemia |
Increased work or effort of breathing |
Airways obstruction, neuromuscular disease, reduced chest wall or pulmonary compliance |
COPD, moderate to severe asthma, myopathy, pulmonary fibrosis |
Air hunger, need to breathe, urge to breathe |
Increased drive to breathe |
HF, pulmonary embolism, moderate to severe asthma or COPD |
Rapid, shallow breathing |
Reduced chest wall or pulmonary compliance |
Interstitial fibrosis |
Suffocating, smothering |
Alveolar edema |
Pulmonary edema |
Heavy breathing, breathing more |
Inadequate oxygen delivery to the muscles |
Deconditioning |