Oxygen is a boundary condition for human life. Without it, the body can last a maximum of a couple of minutes - and this is only if it comes to a trained swimmer or runner. We receive life-giving air in the process of breathing. For him, nature has created an extremely complex system. And if there are any malfunctions in this process, for example, rapid breathing occurs, do not ignore the alarm.
Something about breathing
The frequency and depth of breaths depends on many factors. Firstly, by age. Children breathe more often than adults. Secondly, by weight. The greater the mass, the more often the cycle repeats. Thirdly, from the state of the body. So, rest or activity, pregnancy in women, stress, etc., affect the respiratory rate.
The normal frequency for adults is considered to be from 12 to 20 respiratory movements per minute. If there are more, it is definitely quickened breathing. In medicine, it is referred to as tachypnea. The lack of oxygen in the blood provokes its occurrence with a parallel rise in the content of carbon dioxide in it.
Types of Tachypnea
Doctors subdivide this condition into two groups: physiological, caused by natural causes, and pathological. In the latter case, rapid breathing indicates the occurrence of a disease in the body. Physiological tachypnea can be caused by increased physical activity or stressful situations.
So, heart palpitations and breathing appear during conflicts, fear or anxiety. No special action is required to end this condition. When the body calms down, the symptoms disappear by themselves. With pathological tachypnea, especially if it becomes short of breath or is accompanied by additional painful symptoms, a medical examination is required.
Signs of a breathing problem
You should consult a doctor if rapid breathing is observed in a calm state and is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Respiratory movements are not only “frequent”, but also superficial. That is, the breath becomes very short and is accompanied by the same short exhale. The number of cycles may increase to 50-60 per minute. Such breathing is unproductive. It can be dangerous.
- The breathing rhythm is broken. Intervals between cycles are uneven. Interruption of breathing for some time may be observed, after which it is restored at a convulsive pace.
With regular tachypnea, if left untreated, hyperventilation may develop. By this term is meant a supersaturation of blood oxygen. From him there is weakness, dizziness, "flies" in the eyes, muscle cramps.
Shortness of breath: causes
Most often, tachypnea is a side symptom in "everyday", conditionally non-hazardous diseases (like flu or acute respiratory infections). In this case, rapid breathing is accompanied by chills, runny nose, fever, cough. However, tachypnea can also signal more serious illnesses. For example, about heart problems, the development of asthma, bronchial obstruction, tumors, the onset of acidosis in diabetics, pulmonary embolism. Therefore, long-term rapid breathing difficulties are an occasion for an early visit to the clinic.
Tachypnea in children
With children, the situation is somewhat different. In newborns, the so-called transistor tachypnea sometimes happens. More often, such a condition occurs in those who were born due to a caesarean section or during intrauterine development had an umbilical cord wrapping. In this case, rapid shortness of breath is observed , often with wheezing, and the skin becomes cyanotic due to oxygen deficiency. No treatment is required. After a maximum of three days, the child will return to normal, as the traumatic factor has disappeared.
Another thing is kids up to 3-5 years old. In addition to diseases characteristic of adults, they can begin to breathe partly for “children's” reasons. The main one is getting into the respiratory system of small objects. If tachypnea started suddenly, you should immediately call an ambulance. The second, no less dangerous reason is epiglottitis, that is, inflammation of the epiglottis. Adults rarely get sick, but in children it is quite common. In this case, you need to provide the baby with peace. You can’t change the position of his head and try to conduct an independent examination before the doctors arrive.