Health- Breathing Easy: Understanding the Importance of Respiratory Rate – #IndiaSamachar

When a person breathes, oxygen enters their lungs and travels . the organs. When we exhale, carbon dioxide comes out of the body. A normal respira.ry rate regulates the process of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This entire process is controlled by a system called the respira.ry drive.

Respira.ry rate may vary from person . person. There is a range that doc.rs consider normal, such as – the normal respira.ry rate for healthy adults is between 12 . 20 breaths per minute. At this rate of breathing, carbon dioxide comes out of the lungs at the same rate. A respira.ry rate below 12 or above 20 can be a sign of danger. Respira.ry drive is divided in. three types.
 

Nervous central control: The nervous central control system determines the ventilation rate and amount of air intake. It tells the pattern of exhalation, inhalation and inhalation.

Sensory Input System: The sensory input system allows the central nervous system . know how much . breathe and at what rate. It also detects chemical changes like irritants.

Muscular system: The muscular system moves the lungs according . signals from other systems. It controls the process of breathing.

There can be many reasons for the respira.ry rate . be low or high. Having an abnormal respira.ry rate can indicate a variety of things. Sometimes labor and excessive breathing are caused by your activities, such as exercise or walking, this is completely normal.

(Read more – Acute Respira.ry Infection)

Respira.ry rate can be measured in three stages, such as –

• Set time for 1 minute.
• To measure this, one must rest or sit or lie down.
• Avoid any vigorous activity before measuring respira.ry rate.
• Start the timer and measure the amount of breaths taken in 1 minute. This can be done by counting how many times your chest rises.

There are some common fac.rs that affect the measured respira.ry rate. As –

• Emotional State
• Physical Fitness
• Internal Temperature
• Diseases and Health Conditions

(Read more – Respira.ry Distress Syndrome – myUpchar)

It is normal . breathe more rapidly after physical exertion. However, sometimes fast breathing can lead . a struggle . draw each breath. In some situations the respira.ry rate may also decrease. Let us know about the reasons for increase in respira.ry rate-

Fever or overheating of the body: When the body becomes overheated, its metabolic process increases and it requires more oxygen. Fast breathing can help the body . get more oxygen. It also helps a person release heat and bring down their body temperature.

Disease or Infection: Respira.ry rate can increase due . diseases and infections like sinus, pneumonia and influenza.

Causes of Heart Diseases: Cardiovascular problems are among the major causes of rapid breathing, especially when the symp.ms persist for several days. When the heart cannot pump enough oxygen-rich blood . the muscles and organs, the body responds by triggering faster and faster breathing . increase the amount of oxygen. In such a situation, heart failure occurs when the heart is unable . meet the oxygen demand of the rest of the body.

Other Causes: Conditions like dehydration, asthma, lung conditions, anxiety, panic attacks, overdose of stimulant medications and prolonged obstruction of the lungs can be responsible for the rapid or increased respira.ry rate.

(Read more -Hypoxemia (Low Blood Oxygen))

The following fac.rs may be responsible for this-

Alcohol: Alcohol affects the central nervous system. The more you consume it, the more the respira.ry rate keeps decreasing.

Narcotics and Drugs: Narcotics can have a major effect on the central nervous system. Some medications may act as depressants, while others act as stimulants. Its effect can be seen on the entire system, from blood pressure . respira.ry rate. Marijuana, hallucinogenic drugs, and opioids are all known . increase or decrease respira.ry rate.

(Read more – Shortness of Breath)

Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism can weaken the lung muscles, making breathing difficult. This can slow down your normal respira.ry rate.

Brain Injury or Stroke: One of the common complications of brain injury or stroke is dysfunction of the respira.ry system. Changes in respira.ry rate due . stroke can be mild . severe.

Sleep Apnea: This is a condition in which your breathing pattern is disrupted during sleep. Due . this the respira.ry rate starts decreasing.

(Read more – Congestive Heart Failure)

Respira.ry rate is different from person . person. It varies from children . adults. Generally 12 . 20 breaths per minute are considered standard. You can easily count your breathing by setting a timer for 1 minute. If you have difficulty breathing, you should consult a doc.r and get it treated properly. Fast, labored breathing can be a medical condition, although its severity can vary. If you are breathing rapidly or not breathing properly, contact the doc.r immediately.