Polypnea

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A state characterized by an abnormal increase in the rate of respiration often triggered by physical exertion, emotional stress, or various medical conditions
2. A heightened breathing frequency may result from factors like illness, anxiety, or strenuous activity, reflecting the body's metabolic demands
3. An increased rate of breathing can occur due to physical activity, stress, or underlying health issues affecting respiratory function

Etymology: Polypnea is built from two Greek elements. "Poly" means "many" or "much," and "pnea" comes from the Greek "pnoia," meaning "breathing," from "pnein," "to breathe." Put together, the word describes breathing that is pushed to an excessive, rapid pace, as if the lungs were working far harder than usual. The "-pnea" ending appears in other medical terms, such as "apnea," where the prefix "a-" means "without," so apnea is breathing stopped or absent. Polypnea uses the same root with the opposite emphasis, adding "poly-" to signal an overabundance of breaths rather than a lack of them.

Synonyms: rapid breathing, hyperventilation, tachypnea, breathlessness, dyspnea

Antonyms: bradypnea, hypoventilation, apnea, normal respiration, eupnea