What is the medical term for rapid breathing?

The medical term for rapid breathing is tachypnea. This term is derived from the Greek roots "tachy," meaning fast, and "pnea," meaning breathing. It refers to an increased respiratory rate, which can occur in response to various conditions, including exercise, anxiety, fever, or respiratory distress. Understanding this term is important for medical coding as it helps accurately document a patient's respiratory status and associated conditions in clinical settings. Other related terms have distinct meanings; tachycardia refers to an increased heart rate, bradypnea indicates slow breathing, and apnea signifies a temporary cessation of breathing. Each of these terms highlights specific changes in respiratory or cardiac function, which is crucial for proper medical terminology and coding accuracy.