Dyspnea Respiratory distress Labored breathing Respiratory distress is objectively observable as the physical or emotional consequences from the experience of dyspnea. The physical presentation of respiratory distress is generally referred to as labored breathing, while the sensation of respiratory distress is called shortness of breath or dyspnea. SNOMEDCT_US:230145002 Laboured breathing SNOMEDCT_US:271825005 UMLS:C0476273 SNOMEDCT_US:267036007 Breathing difficulties HP:0002880 UMLS:C0013404 HP:0002098