Respiratory Distress

What is Respiratory Distress?

Respiratory distress is objectively observable as the physical or emotional consequences of the experience of dyspnea (difficulty breathing).

The physical presentation of respiratory distress is generally called labored breathing, while the sensation of respiratory distress is called shortness of breath or dyspnea.

Symptoms may affect multiple parts of the body. Understanding which part of the body a symptom affects, can help us to better understand the potential underlying causes of a symptom, including a rare disease or genetic syndrome.

The respiratory system consists of the lungs, airways, and blood vessels. These parts work together to help the body breathe; they control respiration, including the inhalation of oxygen and the exhalation of carbon dioxide.

Symptoms affecting the respiratory system can not, for the most part, be seen with the naked eye. Diagnosing a respiratory-related symptom may involve different tests and assessments, both subjective and objective.

Symptoms relating to the respiratory system will affect an individual’s ability to breathe effectively and may require medical intervention.

What should I do next?

In some instances, respiratory distress may be one of the features of a rare disease or genetic syndrome. To find out if someone with Respiratory Distress, may be due to a genetic syndrome, it is important to have a consultation and evaluation with a clinical genetic specialist. Specialists may also suggest specific genetic testing or other types of tests to help reach a diagnosis. FDNA’s AI technology can help speed up the diagnostic process by analyzing facial features and other health information.

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