Breathless

Breathless describes the sensation of not being able to breathe comfortably or to catch one’s breath. In medical contexts, the term dyspnea is used to refer to this subjective experience, which can occur with exertion or at rest and varies in intensity.

Causes of breathlessness are diverse and can include cardiopulmonary diseases such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, pneumonia, and pulmonary embolism. Other factors include anemia, obesity, infections, exposure to high altitude, and anxiety or panic. Dyspnea can be acute or chronic and may be influenced by body position (orthopnea) or sleep (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea). Evaluation commonly involves a clinical history, physical examination, pulse oximetry, chest imaging, electrocardiography, and laboratory tests to identify underlying conditions.

Management depends on the cause. Immediate care for severe breathlessness focuses on maintaining the airway and breathing, providing supplemental oxygen if indicated, and administering appropriate medications such as bronchodilators, steroids, or diuretics for specific illnesses. Long-term management targets the underlying condition and may include pulmonary rehabilitation, smoking cessation, weight management, and adherence to treatment plans.

In culture and media, breathlessness is frequently used as a thematic or descriptive term. Notable uses include the English title Breathless for the 1960 French film À bout de souffle, directed by Jean-Luc Godard, which is widely regarded as a landmark of the French New Wave. The term also appears in various songs, novels, and other works.

See also: dyspnea; shortness of breath; orthopnea; paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.