Is your breathing unusually slow? (Bradypnea) - Let's talk about this!

Do you sometimes feel tired, dizzy, or lightheaded? We often dismiss these as normal. But did you know that some of these symptoms can be caused by an abnormally slow rate of breathing? In medicine, we call this condition Bradypnea. Don't worry, this is not a disease, but a symptom of an underlying health problem. Let's talk about this very simply today.

What is Bradypnea? How do I know if my breathing rate is normal?

Simply put, Bradypnea is an abnormally slow breathing rate compared to your age and the activity you are doing at the time. When we are just standing still (at rest), our breathing rate should be within a certain range.

You can check your respiratory rate at home. Take a minute and count how many times you breathe in and out. Count each inhale and exhale as one breath.

Here is the normal breathing rate when you are at rest:

If your breathing rate is lower than these normal values, you may have Bradypnea. This means that your body may not be getting the right amount of oxygen. Oxygen is essential for the cells in our body to produce energy. It is when there is not enough oxygen that various symptoms begin to appear.

What are the symptoms of slow breathing?

When breathing slows down, the body's oxygen levels drop. This can lead to symptoms such as:

• Dizziness and fainting
• Feeling of unbearable fatigue (Fatigue)
• Shortness of breath (Dyspnea) even with mild exertion (e.g., climbing stairs)
• Feeling of weakness
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Confusion of memory and thinking

Why is breathing so slow ? What are the reasons?

There are several things that can cause bradypnea. Some of these are simple, while others require medical attention.

Thyroid problems (Hypothyroidism)

When your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones, it slows down your body's metabolism and breathing.

Head Injuries

We breathe because of signals from the brain. If parts of the brain, especially the brainstem, are damaged by something like an accident, a tumor, or a blood clot, the signals to the lungs to breathe can be disrupted.

Some painkillers (Opioids)

Opioid painkillers, which doctors prescribe for severe pain, can reduce the activity of the parts of the brain that control breathing. Therefore, it is very important to use these only on medical advice .

Excessive alcohol use (Alcohol)

Prolonged or excessive alcohol consumption can significantly slow down breathing rate.

Inhalation of toxic gases (Toxins)

Breathing can be affected by inhaling toxic gases such as carbon monoxide (e.g., vehicle exhaust, smoke from malfunctioning generators), as well as chemicals such as sodium azide, which is used to inflate airbags in vehicles.

Electrolyte Imbalance

Simply put, an increase or decrease in the amount of water in the body can cause an imbalance in the body's essential electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium. This can also affect the breathing process.

Stress and Anxiety

Studies have found that prolonged stress and anxiety can also cause changes in some people's breathing patterns, leading to conditions like bradypnea.

What complications can occur if this condition is ignored?

Complications vary depending on the underlying condition causing this. If left untreated, in the most severe cases, the following can occur:

• Syncope: Temporary loss of consciousness can occur due to a decrease in the amount of blood and oxygen reaching the brain.
• Lack of oxygen to tissues (Hypoxia): If the body's tissues lack oxygen for a long time, vital organs such as the brain and heart can be damaged.
• Respiratory Acidosis: When the lungs are unable to properly remove carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by the body, the acidity of the blood increases.
• Respiratory Failure: The inability to breathe without the help of external oxygen or mechanical ventilation.
• Death: In very serious, untreated cases, death can even occur.

How does a doctor diagnose this and what are the treatments?

If you feel short of breath, see a doctor right away. The doctor will ask about your medical history, medications you are taking, and other symptoms, and will perform a physical examination.

In addition, tests such as these can be used to pinpoint the cause:

• Pulmonary Function Testing: Measure your breathing rate and the amount of air moving in and out of your lungs.
• Blood Tests: Check blood oxygen levels, salt levels, and thyroid hormone levels to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause of your slow breathing. For example, if it's hypothyroidism, that will be treated. Until the cause is found, oxygen therapy may be given to provide the body with the oxygen it needs.

When should you see a doctor? When should you go to the ETU?

This is very important. Understand the difference between these situations.