This is the opposite of normalbreathing movement.
Paradoxical breathing, also called paradoxical respiration, can be a symptom of trauma or a medical condition.
Treatment may vary but typically involves managing the underlying condition.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
Learn more about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of paradoxical breathing.
In paradoxical breathing, your chest contracts while inhaling and expands while exhaling.
Causes
The presence of paradoxical breathing points to various types of respiratory distress or respiratory failure.
Almost anycause of shortness of breath, if severe enough, can lead to paradoxical breathing.
Trauma
A blunt injury to the chest can cause a condition known as “flail chest.”
In flail chest, a minimum of two or more consecutive ribs are broken in two or more places.
Flail chest is a very rare condition.
The movement of a large detached section of bone makes it difficult for the chest to move air in.
This is because the segment moves in and reduces the change in overall chest volume.
The same thing happens during exhalation.
The amount of force needed to cause flail chest is significant.
Such force is likely to damage much more than just the chest wall.
Many people with flail chest also have associated internal injuries.
With flail chest, paradoxical breathing can lead to complications such aspneumothoraxand pneumonia.
Nerve or Muscle Problems
Damage to nerves or weakened muscles can disrupt your breathing.
When the diaphragm is weak, the muscles of the chest wall must do all the work of breathing.
The condition is characterized by many breathing stops and starts during the night.
Over time, it can cause the chest wall to turn inwards, leading to paradoxical breathing.
Electrolyte Disorders
Electrolyte disorders can also cause paradoxical breathing.
Malnourishment can also cause an electrolyte imbalance.
A deficiency in electrolytes such as potassium can cause muscle weakness, including weakness in the respiratory muscles.
This can lead to dysfunction of the diaphragm and paradoxical breathing.
Hormonal Imbalance
Certain hormones help regulate your respiration.
This can lead to weakness in the respiratory muscles.
This causes your abdomen to rise and your chest to fall as you attempt to breathe.
Causes of airway blockage include severe allergic reactions, severe respiratory infection, or choking.
Respiratory failureis defined as fatigue from shortness of breath.
It is also known as respiratory distress.
Without treatment, respiratory failure is likely to worsen.
Paradoxical breathing develops as one of many signs of increased work to breathe and decreased effectiveness of breathing.
An infant’s breathing may look different than an adult’s because the chest moves more easily.
As long as the stomach expands as the lungs fill with air, they are breathing normally.
Your healthcare provider may order tests to help find the underlying cause of your paradoxical breathing.
These may include:
How Is Paradoxical Breathing Treated?
Paradoxical breathing can be corrected by treating the underlying condition.
For example, broken ribs may need to be surgically repaired.
During this procedure, your diaphragm is flattened so your lungs can expand more easily.
Summary
Paradoxical breathing happens when your chest contracts when you inhale and expands as you exhale.
It is a sign of respiratory distress.
It is diagnosed through physical exam, imaging tests, and/or breathing tests.
Treating the underlying cause is the only way to correct paradoxical breathing.
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