Final answer:
Dyspnea is the medical term for difficulty breathing, which can be due to various lung conditions that affect airway compliance and resistance such as fibrosis, asthma, or COPD.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical term for difficulty breathing is Dyspnea. This condition can be caused by a variety of lung diseases and disorders, which can alter the compliance and resistance of the lung. For instance, diseases like fibrosis decrease lung compliance, leading to stiffened airways that collapse upon exhalation, which traps air and makes breathing difficult. Increased resistance, as seen in conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), causes obstructed airways that also result in trapped air and difficulty in breathing. These changes impact the process of airway ventilation and arterial perfusion, potentially leading to V/Q mismatch and affecting gas exchange.