Labored breathing is defined as an abnormal respiration. It should not be treated lightly as it might get serious.

Characteristics:
Grunting
Nasal flaring
Use of accessory muscles of respiration.
Gasping of breath

Chest X-ray: Chest X-Ray is used to get the view of the organs such as lungs, heart, bones of the chest area and of thyroid gland .The alternative names of Chest X-ray are Serial chest x-ray, X-ray – chest or Chest radiography .A Chest X-Ray is used to diagnose conditions such as Lung cancer, pneumonia, heart failure, tuberculosis, lung disease, pulmonary diseases or emphysema.

How the test is done: Chest X-Ray is performed by an X-ray technician in Radiology department of the hospital. Two views of the X-ray are taken one is the posterior-anterior view and the other one is the lateral view. The patient stands in front of the machine and holds the breath while X-ray is taken.

Chest X-Ray should be avoided for pregnant women.
Chest X-Ray is a painless procedure.

By performing Chest X –Ray the doctor can find out conditions that can cause labored breathing.

Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT): Pulmonary Function Testing is also known as Spirometry and these tests are done to find out the efficiency of lungs the way they take air in and how the gases such as Oxygen are circulated in the body.

Why the test is performed?

PFT test is done to diagnose certain lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and shortness of breath.

Spirometry or PFT works on the simple process which evaluates the flow of air. For evaluating lung disease Spirometry measures the amount of air which is exhaled and how quickly it is exhaled.

How the test of PFT is performed?

The person who has to undergo the test is expected to breathe in a mouthpiece which in turn is connected to spirometer.You will have to either breathe normally or at times even deep breathing is required.

You might have a feeling of shortness of breath during the test which is temporary.
The cause of labored breathing or dyspnea is diagnosed by performing the above tests.
ECG and Echocardiography: ECG or Electrocardiogram as its being said is used to assess the weakness of the heart muscles by using electrical signals .It is used to diagnose common heart problems.
Echocardiography or ECHO assess the heart valves and any leakage of blood in the valves and is used through out to diagnose the heart ailments.
If there is chest pain along with labored breathing then the doctor can go ahead with further tests too.

Arterial Blood Gas: Arterial Blood Gas or ABG is done by puncturing an artery and taking out blood with a syringe and the test is done to find the PH of the blood, pressure of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood.
This test is advised when the patient is suffering from neurological disorder which can cause labored breathing, asthma or bronchitis as all these conditions can lead to labored breathing.