Rapid, shallow breathing
Tachypnea, or tachypneic breathing, is fast, shallow breathing.
Tachypnea is not normal, even during exercise.
Click Play to Learn All About Tachypnea
This video has been medically reviewed bySanja Jelic, MD.
What Does Tachypnea Feel Like?
When you have tachypnea, your breathing can feel rapid and shallow.
You may also have other symptoms, such as:
Tachypnea may also occur without any obvious symptoms.
They will take more than 60 breaths per minute and may make grunting sounds with each breath.
You may also notice that the ribs appear to suck in with each breath.
Transient tachypnea usually resolves on its own within a few days after birth.
Physiological Causes
A physiological cause refers to the body’s normal ability to correct an abnormal condition.
Tachypnea is not in itself an abnormal bodily response.
Rather, it is a normal response to something abnormal happening in the body.
Tachypnea can be sparked by three primary physiological processes:
In these examples, tachypnea is not abnormal.
Instead, it is how the body compensates for an abnormality.
Can Emotions Cause Tachypnea?
You may have shallow, rapid breathing as a reaction to anxiety or fear.
Conditions That May Result in Tachypnea
A wide range of medical conditions can result in tachypnea.
These may include:
In people who are hospitalized, tachypnea can be a sign that pneumonia is developing.
This symptom often occurs before other obvious signs of pneumonia.
Some diagnostic tools may include:
Anormal respiratory ratecan vary depending on age and activity.
For most adults, it is usually between 12 and 20 breaths per minute while at rest.
How Tachypnea Is Treated
Treatment for tachypnea depends on the underlying cause.
The medication relaxes the smooth muscle wrapped around thebronchi, thereby helping to dilate the airways.
This makes it easier for air to pass through to reach thealveoli.
This may entailantibioticsif the infection is bacterial, and supportive care if the infection is viral.
Counseling, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques are all helpful options to consider.
Summary
Tachypnea describes abnormally rapid breathing.
It is not the same as dyspnea, where you feel as if you’re not getting enough air.
You may experience tachypnea because your body is trying to correct something abnormal that is happening in your body.
It could also be sparked by something external, such as fear or anxiety.
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