What Is Tachypnea?

Shortness of breath (tachypnea) is a shallow and rapid breathing with a breathing rate of more than 24 breaths per minute. It is a common clinical respiratory symptom. It is often an early symptom of respiratory dysfunction caused by respiratory diseases or organs or tissues that control and affect the breathing. Further worsening of the disease may lead to respiratory distress or dyspnea, and even life-threatening respiratory failure. Due to the anatomy and physiological characteristics of the respiratory system, infants are more prone to shortness of breath and respiratory distress if the disease affects breathing. Treatment should find the primary disease causing shortness of breath, and treat the cause. Give open airways, improve ventilation and oxygen.

Basic Information

English name

tachypnea

Visiting department

Respiratory Medicine

Common causes

Respiratory, or central nervous, cardiovascular, abdominal, gastrointestinal, metabolic, endocrine, and hematological diseases

Common symptoms

Breathe shallowly and quickly, with a respiratory rate of more than 24 breaths per minute

Causes of shortness of breath and common diseases

There are many causes of shortness of breath, which can be caused by diseases of the respiratory system itself, or systemic diseases such as central nervous system, cardiovascular, abdominal cavity, gastrointestinal tract, metabolism, endocrine and blood. Breathing fast, seen in respiratory muscle paralysis, severe tympanic ascites and obesity, as well as lung diseases such as pneumonia, pleurisy, pleural effusion and pneumothorax. Breathing fast, seen during strenuous exercise, because the body's oxygen supply needs to increase the gas exchange in the lungs. In addition, when the emotion is agitated or over-stressed, deep breathing and hyperventilation often occur. At this time, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the arterial blood is reduced, which causes respiratory alkalosis. Severe cases can occur hand-foot convulsions and apnea. When severe metabolic acidosis occurs, deep and slow breathing also occurs. This is due to the lack of extracellular hydrogen carbonate, lowering the pH, and compensating through the discharge of CO ₂ through the lungs to adjust the extracellular acid-base balance. Poisoning and uric acidosis, etc., this kind of deep breathing is also called Kussmaul breathing.

Shortness of breath

A detailed history and physical examination often provide the likely location and cause of the lesion. In addition to the respiratory frequency, depth, rhythm, symmetry, breathing effort (respiratory muscle work), and auscultation of the lungs, the physical examination assessment includes general responses, consciousness, vital signs (heart rate, pulse, blood pressure, temperature, etc.) Systemic circulation perfusion to understand the severity of the disease. Examination of peak expiratory flow (PEFR), breath hold test, and respiratory muscle function tests are performed when necessary.

Shortness of breath treatment principle

Find out the cause and conduct targeted treatment. Although the causes are different, the initial aggressive treatment is the same: open airways, improve ventilation, and provide oxygen.