Tachypnea

Tachypnea

Introduction

Tachypnea refers to an abnormally rapid breathing rate. It is a medical term used to describe accelerated respiration in patients, which can be a symptom of various underlying health conditions.

Illustration of Tachypnea

Definition and Characteristics

Tachypnea is characterized by a breathing rate that is faster than the normal range for a person's age and activity level. The condition is particularly noticeable in resting states, where the number of breaths per minute exceeds the typical range.

Normal breathing rate

A normal breathing rate for an adult at rest is 8 to 16 breaths per minute. For an infant, a normal rate is up to 44 breaths per minute.

Tachypnea breathing rate

Tachypnea is the term that your health care provider uses to describe your breathing if it is too fast, especially if you have fast, shallow breathing from a lung disease or other medical cause.

Hyperventilation

The term hyperventilation is usually used if you are taking rapid, deep breaths. This can be due to lung disease or because of anxiety or panic. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably.

Causes

Shallow, rapid breathing has many possible medical causes, including:

• Asthma
• Blood clot in an artery in the lung
• Choking
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other chronic lung diseases
• Heart failure
• Infection in the smallest air passages of the lungs in children (bronchiolitis)
• Pneumonia or other lung infection
• Transient tachypnea of the newborn
• Anxiety and panic
• Other serious lung disease

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made clinically by measuring the breathing rate. However, additional tests, including blood tests, X-ray of the chest, CT scan and MRI might be needed to look for underlying causes.

Treatment

Treatment of tachypnea depends on the underlying cause.

Causes and Associated Conditions

Several medical conditions can lead to tachypnea, including:

• Respiratory Disorders: Such as Asthma, COPD, and Pneumonia.
• Cardiac Conditions: Congestive heart failure can cause fluid buildup in the lungs, leading to tachypnea.
• Fever: Increased body temperature can accelerate breathing.
• Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Psychological stress can result in rapid breathing.

Diagnosis and Evaluation

Diagnosis of tachypnea involves:

• Measuring the respiratory rate.
• Assessing the patient's overall clinical presentation.
• Conducting tests to determine the underlying cause, such as chest X-rays or blood tests.

Treatment and Management

Treatment of tachypnea focuses on addressing the underlying cause. This may involve:

• Medications, such as bronchodilators for asthma.
• Oxygen therapy for conditions like COPD.
• Psychological interventions for anxiety-induced tachypnea.

Prevention and Monitoring

Preventive measures and regular monitoring are crucial for individuals prone to tachypnea, especially those with chronic respiratory or cardiac conditions.

External Links

• American Lung Association: Tachypnea
• Mayo Clinic: Rapid Breathing

References

• National Center for Biotechnology Information: Tachypnea
• Medscape: Tachypnea

See also

• Control of respiration
• Hypoventilation
• List of terms of lung size and activity

Tachypnea Resources
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Classification	ICD-10: R06.0 ICD-9-CM: 786.06

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