Overview

Tachypnea is a medical condition often associated with quick and shallow breathing wherein the individual feels not getting proper air. It is usually identified with a faster breathing rate than standard breathing patterns. Tachypnea occurs in both physiologic states and pathology. The usual range of breathing frequency among healthy individuals is 12 to 20 breaths per minute. However, individuals with Tachypnea may exhibit a breathing rate exceeding the upper limit of the normal range, surpassing 20 breaths per minute at a resting stage.

This abnormally rapid pace of breathing carried symptoms of various underlying medical conditions such as respiratory or cardiovascular disorders, metabolic diseases, infections or even anxiety. Tachypnea can impact the body’s natural ability to oxygenate the tissues and expel the proper amount of carbon dioxide, resulting in increased CO2 in the bloodstream. Please keep reading to learn more about the condition, it's possible causes, symptoms, and treatment options available.

Causes Of Tachypnea

Tachypnea can severely affect both adults and infants. Here are some of the most common causes of Tachypnea that happens in individuals:

Pulmonary Embolism: A blood clot in the pulmonary arteries resulting in obstructive oxygen flow to the lungs, causing Tachypnea.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis: The body’s attempt to compensate for respiratory distress and metabolic acidosis can lead to severe cases of Tachypnea.
Asthma: Breathing difficulties, especially during asthma attacks, can increase the respiratory effort leading to Tachypnea.
Allergic Reactions: Certain allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, may result in Tachypnea as the body’s response to decreased oxygen levels.
Panic Disorders: Chronic stress or anxiety can result in hyperventilation in many individuals.
Pleural Effusion: Impaired lung expansion due to accumulation of fluids in pleural space can result in Tachypnea.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Constricted respiration and airflow limitation in COPD can potentially result in Tachypnea.
Sepsis: The body’s attempt to meet oxygen demands in response to systemic infections can result in Tachypnea, a common sign of sepsis.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Tachypnea occurs as the body responds to the decreased oxygen-carrying capacity due to increased carbon monoxide exposure.
Heart Failure: Tachypnea is a compensatory mechanism in heart failure, aiming to improve oxygenation as the heart struggles to pump blood effectively.

Symptoms Of Tachypnea

Tachypnea is often recognised with an abnormal breathing rate. Here are some of the most commonly observed symptoms of Tachypnea in adults as well as infants:

Feeling shortness of breath (Dyspnea)
Chest pain
Difficulty while breathing
Bluish or greyish nail/skin colour
Feelings of insufficient air circulation

Other symptoms may include:

Wheezing
Coughing
Lightheadedness
Fatigue
Nasal Flaring
Fever

Treatment Of Tachypnea

Your healthcare professional will address the underlying medical condition causing Tachypnea. Treatment for this condition is standard in younger children and infants, as their respiratory systems are more receptive to rapid breathing, even in response to minor stimuli. Also, infants have a higher metabolic rate, demanding increased amounts of oxygen.

If Tachypnea is due to COPD or asthma, your healthcare professional will use inhaled medicine to dilate and expand the alveoli in obstructive lung disease. If the condition arises from pneumonia, an antibiotics course is used to treat bacterial pneumonia.

Note: Viral pneumonia can be treated without the use of antibiotics.

The treatment in younger children involves practising slow and deep breathing exercises to stop hyperventilation and relax your lungs, ultimately making them expand. In emergency cases, your healthcare professional may use pressurised oxygen with a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) Machine or air from a ventilator machine that powerfully moves air in and out of your lungs.

Depending on the underlying medical cause, your doctor will prescribe certain medicines, such as antibiotics, antihistamines, or anticoagulants, or recommend inhalers (bronchodilators). Other treatment options may include cognitive behavioural therapy, a type of talk therapy to help appropriately manage conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Conclusion

Tachypnea is an emergency medical condition that should not be ignored at any cost. Ignoring the symptoms can lead to severe complications. Individuals experiencing Tachypnea should immediately seek consultation with a specialist for a proper and timely treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tachypnea

Q1. What is the difference between Tachypnea and Tachycardia?
A1. Tachypnea is rapid, shallow breathing with more than 20 breaths per minute. At the same time, Tachycardia is a medical condition often recognised with more than 100 beats per minute.

Q2. What are the four types of breathing?
A2. Eupnea, Hyperpnea, Costal, and Diaphragmatic breathing are the four different types observed in individuals.

Q3. What causes Tachypnea?
A3. The severe imbalance between oxygen and carbon dioxide causes Tachypnea in individuals.

Q4. What is 5 5 5 breathing?
A4. A healthy human’s optimal breathing rate is 5.5 seconds per inhale and 5.5 seconds per exhale.

Q5. Is Tachypnea normal?
A5. Tachypnea refers to rapid and shallow breathing in humans, including newborns, children, and adults. Tachypnea is not a disease but a sign of an underlying medical condition requiring immediate medical attention.

References:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24124-tachypnea
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324548