What Does SOB Mean in Medical Terms?

SOB stands for shortness of breath. Feeling of not getting enough air.

Where you will see SOB

You will most often see SOB in respiratory and ventilation charts.

Example

A chart note might use “SOB” as shorthand for shortness of breath when documenting a patient's care.

Related abbreviations

• 6MWT — six-minute walk test
• A-a gradient — alveolar-arterial gradient
• AAT — alpha-1 antitrypsin
• AATD — alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
• ABG — arterial blood gas
• ABPA — allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
• accidental extubation — accidental extubation (event)
• acinus — acinus (pulmonary anatomy)

Browse the full Medical Abbreviations guide — 5,715 entries, searchable A–Z and by specialty.