Labored breathing
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Synonyms and keywords: Labored respiration
Overview
Labored respirationis an abnormal respiration characterized by evidence of increased effort to breathe, including the use of accessory muscles of respiration, stridor, grunting, or nasal flaring.[1] Labored breathing is distinguished from shortness of breath or dyspnea, which is the sensation of respiratory distress rather than a physical presentation.
Physical Examination
Presentations of labored respiration include:
- Hyperpnea: faster and/or deeper breathing
- Tachypnea: increased breathing rate
- Retractions or recessions: sucking in of the skin, around the ribs[2] and the top of the sternum[3]
- Use of accessory muscles of respiration rather than only the diaphragm
Causes
References
- ↑ TheFreeDictionary > labored breathing Retrieved on Dec 12, 2009
- ↑ Levene, Malcolm I. (2000). Essentials of neonatal medicine. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 28. ISBN 0-632-05163-9. Unknown parameter
|coauthors=ignored (help) - ↑ UpToDate >Patient information: Croup in infants and children Charles R Woods, MD, MS. Last literature review version 17.3: September 2009