What is shortness of breath?

Is it just that you have to breath deeper? Or does it mean that it's harder to breath?

Like if I go out running and I'm not in shape. And I have to breath deep to get enough oxygen in my blood. I think I'm getting the same amount of oxygen in each breath, but I need more oxygen when I'm running. Is that shortness of breath?

Shortness of breath is that you can't take a good deep breath because something is making it difficult to do so. Like an asthma attack as an example.

having to try hard to catch your breath

There are many conditions that cause shortness of breath including being unfit, and even cold weather, but to make sure there is no disease such as asthma or heart problems, consult a doctor and have a general health check.

not exactly the same.
shortness of breath is when it's hard to breath

Shortness of breath means youre having trouble getting oxygen even though you're taking deep breaths. So even though you're trying as hard as you can to get the oxygen, it seems like the oxygen is coming in "short" breaths.

People get "shortness of breath" for many reasons....for example if a person smokes they are breathing in all that tobacco toxins..and the longer they smoke the darker their lungs get with the tars and nicotine....so when they labor to breath work hard to breath...they have "shortness of breath!"

Also if you are not in shape and start walking around the block....and you are half way home and your legs feel weak and your arms feel heavy...then you start gasping for breath....you can call that also "shortness of breath"

At times people are under stress and worry and everything inside their bodies tighten up.....they can't eat or do anything they feel drained their emotions are getting the best of them...whatever they try to do even getting up from the chair to go get a drink of water....taxes their strength....and it's hard to mentally make a decision ....this condition could be labeled as "shortness of breath"..the mental strain takes the energy out of the person and it affects their breathing...

Also last but not least ...when we are frightened so much that we can't breath...it feels as if someone hit us in the chest or stomach...you feel so afraid your breath gets stuck in your throat you can do anything naturally....this can be called
"shortness of breath"....as you can see many things can lead to this condition....in some cities...."smog" and dirty air that clogs our lungs...can really cause serious breathing problems....this is a very bad case that causes "shortness of breath"

Enough from Mama Jazzy Geri

Shortness of breath (SOB) is a "symptom" not a disease. Another word for SOB is air hunger. Your body needs to have an adequate amount of oxygen for you organs to function properly. Any time the oxygen level drops within you blood, usually below 90%, whether due to exertion with exercise or a medical condition (cardiac or respiratory) you will become SOB. When exercising, your muscles need additional oxygen to exert energy. When you have respiratory problems (emphysema or asthma) there is a problem getting enough air into your lungs (and eventually into your blood). Cardiac conditions cause a problem with the pumping of blood to and from the lungs (again not enough oxygen in the blood)

ITS THAT YOURE LUNGS IS NOT TAKING IN ENOUGH AIR YOU PROBABLY WONT TO START DOING SOME DEEP BREATHING EXERCISES

well it could be poor circulation. not enough flow of oxegen.