There's no universal definition for breathing problems. Troubled breathing may feel like you can't get enough air, being short of breath, being uncomfortable when you breathe, or breathing in shallow or faster than normal breaths. Different health conditions can cause breathing problems.
Normal respiratory rate
Your respiration rate â the number of times you breathe in a minute â is one of the vital signs your doctor checks when you visit. The "normal" rate depends on your age, but a typical adult takes between 12 and 20 breaths a minute when resting.
You can measure your rate by counting the number of breaths you take in a minute. (If you don't want to wait that long, you can count how many you take in 15 seconds and multiply that number by four.)
If you don't feel well, how you're breathing can give your doctor clues about what the problem might be.
Types of breathing problems include:
Hyperventilation
This common issue happens when you breathe faster than your body needs to and you get rid of too much carbon dioxide. That throws off the balance in your blood.
Hyperventilation can be caused by things like exercise, anxiety, or asthma. It can make you feel dizzy, weak, or confused.
Exercise can cause you to hyperventilate or breathe too quickly. This symptom may cause you to feel dizzy, so try to stay calm and take deep, slow breaths. (Photo Credit: E+/Getty Images)
The traditional treatment is to breathe into a paper bag so you breathe back in some of the carbon dioxide. But today, doctors recommend taking deep breaths or covering your mouth and one of your nostrils to limit how much air gets in. If you have trouble calming down, ask someone to help you.
Dyspnea
This is when you feel "short of breath," like your body can't get enough air. It's a common symptom of many heart and lung problems, and it can be a sign of something serious, like an asthma attack or heart attack. Get medical help right away if you're short of breath very suddenly.
It also can happen if you are at high altitudes or in poor physical health or have obesity. In those cases, your doctor might recommend special breathing exercises, or they may give you oxygen.
Several types of dyspnea happen only when your body is in a certain position. They include:
Bradypnea
This is when you're breathing more slowly than normal. It can mean your body isn't getting enough oxygen.
Bradypnea can be a sign of a condition that affects your metabolism or another problem, like sleep apnea, carbon monoxide poisoning, or a drug overdose.
Tachypnea
This is the opposite of bradypnea. It means you're breathing faster than normal. It can be a sign of an illness that limits how much air your lungs can take in, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or pneumonia. You breathe faster to keep the same amount of oxygen flowing into your body.
It also can happen in people who have obesity or in infants who have problems breathing.
Hyperpnea
This is when you're breathing in more air but not necessarily breathing faster. It can happen during exercise or because of a medical condition that makes it harder for your body to get oxygen, like heart failure or sepsis (a serious overreaction by your immune system).
This type of breathing can sometimes make you hyperventilate.
Apnea
This condition is when you temporarily stop breathing, usually while you're sleeping. It can either be caused when something blocks your airway (obstructive sleep apnea) or if your brain isn't signaling your body to breathe correctly (central sleep apnea). Sleep apnea can induce Cheyne-Stokes breathing, a troubled breathing pattern in which you breathe faster than normal in deep then shallow breaths, before you stop breathing entirely.
Kussmaul breathing
This pattern of fast, deep breaths sometimes happens in people who have a problem related to diabetes known as diabetic ketoacidosis.
When you have diabetes, your body doesn't use sugar for energy the way it should. Instead, it burns stored fat for energy. That raises the level of acid in your blood. Your body tries to get things back into balance by getting rid of more carbon dioxide, so you breathe in faster and breathe out more deeply.
Because it changes your body's chemistry, Kussmaul breathing can lead to fruity-smelling breath.
Breathing problems can be defined as breathing too quickly, too slowly, or not deeply enough. Different health conditions can cause troubled breathing, so if you experience a sudden change in how well you can breathe, contact your doctor to figure out what's causing it. Don't ignore your symptoms if you're having trouble catching your breath for a long time â seek medical help right away.
How do you know if your lungs aren't getting enough air?
If you aren't getting enough air, you may notice that you're breathing too fast, too slowly, or only in shallow breaths. Sometimes, if the level of oxygen in your blood is too low, you may have other symptoms like wheezing, confusion, or a blueish tinge to your fingernails or skin.
Why can't I get a satisfying breath?
Many health conditions can lead to shortness of breath, including heart and lung conditions, anxiety, asthma, and anemia. If you're struggling to catch your breath, talk with your doctor right away so they can examine you to figure out what's causing your symptoms.
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