Breathing Patterns and Their Types

Introduction:

Breathing is one of the most essential processes of a living being. The normal function of breathing is gaseous exchange. Carbon dioxide produced by the metabolic activity of the body is expelled out of the body through expiration and oxygen required for the metabolic activity of the body is inhaled through this process. But in certain conditions, the normal process of breathing is hampered. As a result, an abnormal pattern of breathing is observed.

What Is the Mechanism of a Normal Breathing Pattern?

Breathing is a continuous silent process through which gaseous exchange takes place. In normal conditions, the rate of breathing is 18 to 20 times per minute. The rate of breathing may vary on the basis of several physiological factors like age, build, and physical conditions.

Breathing is divided into two parts: inspiration and expiration. During inspiration, oxygenated air is inhaled. On the other hand, during the expiration air containing excessive amounts of carbon dioxide is breathed out.

The process of gaseous exchange is facilitated by a change in pressure inside the lungs. Various body parts like the intercostal muscles, diaphragm, and contractility of the alveoli regulate the pressure of the lung. Various nerve centers like thoracic neural receptors in the brain, central chemoreceptors, and peripheral chemoreceptors regulate the breathing process. These receptors are influenced by several physiological factors. As a result, any abnormality in physiological functioning is responsible for abnormal breathing patterns.

What Are the Abnormal Breathing Patterns?

Different types of abnormal breathing patterns are observed in different pathological conditions. These are:

Apnea: Apnea is defined as a temporary cessation of breathing. This is characterized by slow, deep, and erratic breathing movements. During apnea there is no change in the position of the respiratory muscles and tidal volume of the lungs. But gaseous flow, gaseous exchange, and cellular response are not altered during this period. Apnea can be caused by several factors such as:

1. Sudden emotional change, crying, laughter, and anger.

2. Trauma.

3. Sudden ingestion of foreign substances.

4. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that is characterized by sudden stoppage of breathing during sleep.

Dyspnea: Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing is known as dyspnea. This is caused by running out of air in the lungs or the inability to breathe deeply. This causes the activation of various respiratory receptors. The activation of mechanoreceptors and peripheral chemoreceptors is responsible for increased breathing rate and ventilation. The pathological conditions that are associated with dyspnea are:

1. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

2. Lung fibrosis and conditions like emphysema.

3. Lung cancer or benign tumor of the lungs.

4. Pneumonia or lung infections. Allergic lung inflammation is also associated with this.

5. Pleurisy or infection of the pleura.

6. Cardiac diseases like heart failure or cardiac arrest.

7. Pulmonary edema (accumulation of fluid in the lungs).

8. Hypotension.

Hyperpnea: It is characterized by the increased volume of respiration. This is not associated with the rate of respiration as in the case of hyperpnea, the rate may remain unchanged. Deep breathing can be observed in this condition. This can be of two types:

1. Physiologic: Physiologic hyperpnea is caused by the depletion of the oxygen supply. High altitude and heavy exercises are associated with such conditions.

2. Pathologic: Different pathological conditions like lung cancer, lung tumors, pulmonary edema, and sepsis are responsible for such conditions.

Hyperventilation: Rapid and deep breathing is known as hyperventilation. In this condition, the body eliminates more carbon dioxide than it produces. This causes a reduced concentration of carbon dioxide in the body. This causes a rise in the blood pH. To compensate this body tries to consume more carbon dioxide through increased air take. Conditions that are associated with hyperventilations are:

1. Anxiety, panic attacks, or emotional stress.

2. Asthma.

3. High altitude.

Hypoventilation: It is a condition when the ventilation in the alveoli is not adequate. As a result, the carbon dioxide produced by the body is accumulated in the body. This leads to respiratory acidosis. The pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood is also increased. This is characterized by shallow and slow breathing. This is also known as respiratory depression. The pathological conditions associated with such conditions are:

1. Central sleep apnea syndrome.

2. Restrictive thoracic disorders like asbestosis and sarcoidosis.

3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

Tachypnea: Rapid rate of breathing is known as tachypnea. In this condition, the rate of breathing is more than 20 per minute in case of the adults. It is characterized by rapid and shallow breathing. The physiological causes of tachypnea are decreased oxygen supply, increased altitude, and heavy exercise. The pathological conditions associated with tachypnea are:

1. Severe systemic infection.

2. Diabetic ketoacidosis.

3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders.

4. Pulmonary embolism.

5. Asthma.

Kussmaul Respirations: This is a type of long, deep, and rapid breathing. The other name for this type of breathing is air hunger. Metabolic acidosis (a condition in which the pH of the body is less than 7.35) is associated with such types of breathing patterns. Deep breathing patterns help to get rid of the excessive carbon dioxide in the body The pathological conditions that are responsible for such breathing patterns are:

1. Diabetic Ketoacidosis: This condition is commonly associated with type 1 diabetes and may also be caused by type 2 diabetes. Reduction in the level of glucose in the body reduces fat metabolisms. As a result, the amount of ketone in the body increased.

2. Sepsis: Severe infection is responsible for excessive levels of lactic acid in the body that causes metabolic acidosis.

3. Excessive Alcoholism: Excessive alcohol intake is responsible for ketone production. This causes alcoholic ketoacidosis and results in metabolic ketoacidosis.

4. Drug Overdose: Different drug overdoses are responsible for metabolic acidosis. Drugs like Salicylates, beta-2 agonist drugs, and Aspirin are associated with drug-induced metabolic acidosis.

Cheyne-Stokes Respiration: This is a type of breathing disorder characterized by cyclic events of apnea (sudden stoppage of breathing) and hyperventilation (episodes of deep breathing). The dynamic change in the breathing pattern associated with this type is known as crescendo and decrescendo change. The duration of each cycle lasts for 45 to 90 seconds. This condition is mainly seen in heart failure or in stroke.

Conclusion:

The function of the normal breathing pattern is to facilitate the normal gaseous exchange. In different pathological conditions, this process is interrupted. As a result, the physiological equilibrium of the body is lost. This causes excessive effort in the breathing process.