Final answer:
Dyspnea is a term used to describe difficulty breathing, and it can be caused by various underlying conditions. The main characteristic of dyspnea is a feeling of shortness of breath or breathlessness, which may be accompanied by other symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dyspnea is a term used to describe difficulty breathing. It is a symptom, not a specific disease, and can be caused by various underlying conditions such as respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as heart problems or anxiety.
The main characteristic of dyspnea is a feeling of shortness of breath or breathlessness. It may be accompanied by other symptoms like wheezing, cough, or chest pain. Pneumonia, for example, often causes the alveoli to become inflamed and fill with fluid, which differentiates it from the airway obstruction seen in COPD. Understanding the complexities of various respiratory disorders enhances the evaluation and management of dyspnea.