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  5. Abnormalities of breathing (R06)

Abnormalities of breathing (R06)

ICD-10 code R06 covers a range of abnormalities of breathing, including various types of breathing difficulties and unusual respiratory symptoms. These codes are used to document specific issues such as dyspnea (shortness of breath), stridor, wheezing, and breathing pattern irregularities, as well as less common symptoms like hiccough and snoring.

The ICD-10 code for dyspnea (R06.0 and its subcategories) includes many synonyms like difficulty breathing, breathlessness at rest or exertion, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, helping clinicians capture different presentations of shortness of breath clearly. Other codes like R06.1 for stridor, a noisy breathing sound heard during inhalation or exhalation, and R06.2 for wheezing, are applied when such characteristic respiratory sounds occur. More specific breathing pattern disorders such as R06.3 for periodic breathing, including Cheyne-Stokes respiration, and R06.4 for hyperventilation are also included. Additionally, unusual symptoms like mouth breathing (R06.5), hiccough (R06.6), and snoring (R06.83) are codified. The section also accommodates unspecified abnormalities (R06.9) for breathing issues that do not fit other categories, ensuring detailed respiratory symptom documentation for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Instructional Notations

Type 1 Excludes

A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.

  • acute respiratory distress syndrome J80
  • respiratory arrest R09.2
  • respiratory arrest of newborn P28.81
  • respiratory distress syndrome of newborn P22
  • respiratory failure J96
  • respiratory failure of newborn P28.5

Clinical Terms

The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.

Blood Transfusion

The introduction of whole blood or blood component directly into the blood stream. (Dorland, 27th ed)

Brain Ischemia

Localized reduction of blood flow to brain tissue due to arterial obstruction or systemic hypoperfusion. This frequently occurs in conjunction with brain hypoxia (HYPOXIA, BRAIN). Prolonged ischemia is associated with BRAIN INFARCTION.

Circadian Rhythm

The regular recurrence, in cycles of about 24 hours, of biological processes or activities, such as sensitivity to drugs or environmental and physiological stimuli.

Dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing.

Dyspnea, Paroxysmal

A disorder characterized by sudden attacks of respiratory distress in at rest patients with HEART FAILURE and PULMONARY EDEMA. It usually occurs at night after several hours of sleep in a reclining position. Patients awaken with a feeling of suffocation, coughing, a cold sweat, and TACHYCARDIA. When there is significant WHEEZING, it is called CARDIAC ASTHMA.

Hypercapnia

A clinical manifestation of abnormal increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in arterial blood.

Hyperventilation

A pulmonary ventilation rate faster than is metabolically necessary for the exchange of gases. It is the result of an increased frequency of breathing, an increased tidal volume, or a combination of both. It causes an excess intake of oxygen and the blowing off of carbon dioxide.

Hypoventilation

A reduction in the amount of air entering the pulmonary alveoli.

Laryngismus

A disorder in which the adductor muscles of the VOCAL CORDS exhibit increased activity leading to laryngeal spasm. Laryngismus causes closure of the VOCAL FOLDS and airflow obstruction during inspiration.

Mouth Breathing

Abnormal breathing through the mouth, usually associated with obstructive disorders of the nasal passages.

Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

HYPOVENTILATION syndrome in very obese persons with excessive ADIPOSE TISSUE around the ABDOMEN and DIAPHRAGM. It is characterized by diminished to absent ventilatory chemoresponsiveness; chronic HYPOXIA; HYPERCAPNIA; POLYCYTHEMIA; and long periods of sleep during day and night (HYPERSOMNOLENCE). It is a condition often related to OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA but can occur separately.

Respiratory Insufficiency

Failure to adequately provide oxygen to cells of the body and to remove excess carbon dioxide from them. (Stedman, 25th ed)

Respiratory Rate

The number of times an organism breathes with the lungs (RESPIRATION) per unit time, usually per minute.

Sleep Apnea, Central

A condition associated with multiple episodes of sleep apnea which are distinguished from obstructive sleep apnea (SLEEP APNEA, OBSTRUCTIVE) by the complete cessation of efforts to breathe. This disorder is associated with dysfunction of central nervous system centers that regulate respiration.

Sleep Wake Disorders

Abnormal sleep-wake schedule or pattern associated with the CIRCADIAN RHYTHM which affect the length, timing, and/or rigidity of the sleep-wake cycle relative to the day-night cycle.

Sneezing

The sudden, forceful, involuntary expulsion of air from the NOSE and MOUTH caused by irritation to the MUCOUS MEMBRANES of the upper RESPIRATORY TRACT.

Snoring

Rough, noisy breathing during sleep, due to vibration of the uvula and soft palate.

Syncope

A transient loss of consciousness and postural tone caused by diminished blood flow to the brain (i.e., BRAIN ISCHEMIA). Presyncope refers to the sensation of lightheadedness and loss of strength that precedes a syncopal event or accompanies an incomplete syncope. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp367-9)

Tachypnea

Increased RESPIRATORY RATE.

Transfusion Reaction

Complications of BLOOD TRANSFUSION. Included adverse reactions are common allergic and febrile reactions; hemolytic (delayed and acute) reactions; and other non-hemolytic adverse reactions such as infections and adverse immune reactions related to immunocompatibility.

Xerostomia

Decreased salivary flow.