Rapid breathing: signs, causes, actions

Oxygen is the boundary condition for human life. Without it, the body can survive a maximum of a couple of minutes - and this is only if it is a trained swimmer or runner. The life-giving air we receive in the process of breathing. For him, nature has created an extremely complex system. And if there are any failures in this process, for example, there is a rapid breathing, do not ignore the alarm signal.

Something about breathing

The frequency and depth of breaths-exhalations depends on many factors. First, from the age. Children breathe more often than adults. Secondly, by weight. The larger the mass, the more often the cycle is repeated. Third, the state of the body. So, the frequency of breathing is affected by peace or activity, pregnancy in women, stress, etc.

The normal frequency for adults is considered to be from 12 to 20 respiratory movements per minute. If there are more of them, this is definitely a quick breathing. In medicine, it is designated by the term "tachypnea". It provokes the appearance of a lack of oxygen in the blood with a parallel take-off of the carbon dioxide content in it.

Types of tachypnea

Doctors divide this condition into two groups: physiological, caused by natural causes, and pathological. In the latter case, rapid breathing indicates the occurrence of any disease in the body. Physiological tachypnea can be caused by increased physical stress or stressful situations.

Thus, heart palpitations and breathing appear during conflicts, fright, or anxiety. No special action is required to stop this condition. When the body calms down, the symptoms will disappear by themselves. In pathological tachypnea, especially if it passes into shortness of breath or is accompanied by additional painful symptoms, a medical examination is required.

Signs of breathing problems

To consult a doctor is if the rapid breathing is observed in a calm state and is accompanied by the following symptoms:

1. Respiratory movements are not only "part", but are superficial. That is, the breath becomes very short and is accompanied by the same short exhalation. The number of cycles can thus increase to 50-60 per minute. This breath is unproductive. It can be dangerous.
2. The rhythm of breathing is disturbed. Intervals between cycles are uneven. There may be an interruption in breathing for a while, after which it recovers at a convulsive pace.

With regular tachypnea, if left untreated, hyperventilation may develop. This term means supersaturation of blood oxygen. From him there is weakness, dizziness, "flies" in the eyes, muscle spasms.

Rapid breathing: causes

Most often tachypnea is a side symptom in "everyday", conditionally non-dangerous diseases (such as influenza or ARI). In this case, rapid breathing accompanied by chills, runny nose, fever, cough. However, tachypnea can signal more serious diseases. For example, problems with the heart, the development of asthma, bronchial obstruction, tumors, the onset of acidosis in diabetics, pulmonary embolism. Therefore, a long, not passing quickened shortness of breath is an occasion for an early visit to the polyclinic.

Tachypnea in children

With children, the situation is somewhat different. The newborn sometimes has a so-called transistor tachypnea. More often such a condition occurs in those who came into the world due to caesarean section or had umbilical cord wrapping during intrauterine development. In this case, there is rapid rapid breathing, often with wheezing, and the skin becomes cyanotic due to oxygen deficiency. No treatment is required. Maximum in three days the child will come back to normal, as the traumatic factor disappeared.

Another thing - kids up to 3-5 years. In addition to the diseases typical for adults, they can begin to breathe in part for "childish" reasons. The main one is getting into the respiratory system of small items. If the tachypnea started suddenly, it is worth immediately calling an ambulance. The second, no less dangerous cause, is epiglottitis, that is, an inflammation of the epiglottis. Adults suffer from them very seldom, but in children it occurs quite often. In this case, you need to ensure the baby peace. It is impossible before the arrival of doctors to change the position of his head and try to conduct an independent examination.