Which condition is linked with difficulty breathing?

Accessory muscle use is associated with difficulty breathing because when an individual experiences respiratory distress, additional muscles are recruited to assist the primary muscles of respiration. Normally, breathing involves the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. However, in situations like asthma, COPD, or severe respiratory infections, the body may engage accessory muscles located in the neck, chest, and abdomen to help facilitate breathing. This often indicates that the body is struggling to get enough air, as the primary efforts are insufficient, making it a direct indicator of breathing difficulty.

In contrast, bradypnea refers to an abnormally slow respiratory rate, which can occur in various medical conditions but does not specifically indicate difficulty breathing. Rhinorrhea, or a runny nose, pertains to nasal congestion rather than respiratory distress, while oropharyngeal erythema describes redness in the throat that may suggest infection or inflammation but does not specifically address the mechanics of breathing.