Has your breathing rate suddenly increased? Let's talk about tachypnea.

Do you sometimes feel like your breathing rate has suddenly increased? Or have you ever been scared when you see your little one breathing very fast? In medicine, we call this condition Tachypnea. This can sometimes be normal, and sometimes it can be a symptom of a medical condition. So, without further ado, let's learn more about it today.

What is tachypnea simply?

Simply put, tachypnea is rapid, shallow breathing. It's normal to breathe rapidly when you're exercising, like running or climbing stairs. But tachypnea is when your breathing rate increases even when you're at rest, without any exertion.

This condition can occur in both infants and adults. It is especially common in premature babies and in adults with respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD.

Sometimes this rapid breathing goes away on its own after a while. We call it 'transient tachypnea'. This is especially common in newborn babies.

How do I know if I'm breathing too fast?

You can test this at home. While you're resting, look at a clock and count the number of times you breathe in one minute.

• Adult: A healthy adult typically breathes between 12 and 25 times per minute when at rest (without any exercise). If your breathing rate is more than 25 times per minute while at rest, it may be tachypnea.
• Newborn: It is normal for a newborn to breathe between 40 and 60 times per minute. If a baby's rate exceeds 60 per minute, it may be a condition called ``transient tachypnea of ​​the newborn'' and should be seen by a doctor.

What symptoms are seen in this condition?

Tachypnea can be accompanied by several other symptoms, some of which may be signs of an emergency.

What are the causes of tachypnea?

There may be several reasons for this.

Common causes among adults and children

• Allergic reactions: Swelling of the airways in severe allergies.
• Anxiety or panic disorder: Breathing becomes faster when fear and stress increase.
• Asthma: Congestion of the respiratory tract.
• Blood clots: A blood clot, especially in a blood vessel leading to the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
• Carbon monoxide poisoning: Inhalation of smoke.
• COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease): Long-term damage to the lungs caused by factors such as smoking.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis: A dangerous condition caused by uncontrolled diabetes, which causes the blood to become acidic.
• Pneumonia: An infection of the lungs.
• Sepsis: A severe infection that has spread throughout the body.

Special causes for newborn babies

When a baby is in the womb, his lungs are filled with fluid. When the baby is born, hormones cause this fluid to settle and the lungs to fill with air. Sometimes, especially in babies born prematurely, this fluid settles for a while. Then the baby has to breathe rapidly because of the extra fluid remaining in the lungs. This is called ``transient tachypnea of ​​the newborn''. This condition usually goes away in two to three days.

What are the treatments for this?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. The first thing the doctor does is to find the cause.

• Immediate treatment: If there is difficulty breathing, oxygen is given first. For young babies, this can be given through a nasal cannula or a face mask.
• Breathing exercises: For older children and adults, try calming down and practicing deep breathing. Breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth helps fill your lungs.
• In severe cases: If the condition is severe, you may need to use a CPAP machine. Or, you may need to be connected to a ventilator to help you breathe.

Depending on the cause, treatments may include:

• If there is an infection, then medications like antibiotics.
• An `inhaler` for a condition like asthma.
• Anticoagulants are blood thinners for blood clots.
• If the stress is due to anxiety, then it can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy and, if necessary, medication.

Can this situation be prevented?

While not all causes can be prevented, there are things you can do to reduce your risk.

• Avoid allergens to which you are allergic.
• Increase the strength of your body and lungs by exercising regularly.
• Avoid places with smoke and high pollution.
• If you use things like gas geysers and wood stoves at home, it is very important to install a carbon monoxide detector.
• If you have anxiety, seek help from a qualified professional.
• If you have other diseases like diabetes or asthma, control them properly according to medical advice.

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