WHAT IS THE RESPIRATORY RATE? - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY - 2025

The respiratory rate is the number of breaths of a person for one minute. In adults it is usually between 12 and 16 breaths per minute. It is also known as the ventilation rate or the respiration rate.

It is measured when a person is rested and seated. Respiratory rate is usually an indicator of pulmonary dysfunction; patients who breathe more often at rest tend to have more chronic health problems.

Most adults breathe much faster than 12 breaths per minute. Today, people typically take 15 to 20 breaths per minute, much more often than expected.

If a person is sick, his values ​​are expected to be higher. Sick people generally take more than 20 breaths per minute.

A person cannot count their respiratory rate by counting their breaths. The number will not be real, as most people will breathe slower and deeper. Another person can do it without them realizing it, or they can record breathing using sensitive microphones under the nose.

Breathing frequency

Respiratory rate is one of the vital signs. These are used to detect or monitor medical problems. In organisms with lungs, respiration is called ventilation. Breathing includes inhalation and exhalation as part of the process.

Respiration is the process of transporting air in and out of the lungs. Inhalation refers to air going into the lungs and exhalation to air going out.

It is a necessary process to survive; All aerobic animals require oxygen at the cellular level. Respiratory rate is measured in breaths per minute.

As measured?

Respiratory rate is measured when a person is at rest. If measured manually, the number of breaths per minute is counted; counting how many times the chest rises.

If the technology is being used, an optical breathing rate sensor is used. These devices can be used to monitor patients during an MRI.

The respiratory rate may increase when the person has a fever, illness or some other medical condition. When checking breathing, it is important to note if the person has any difficulty breathing.

Normal ranges

The normal breathing range for an adult is 12 breaths per minute. Some studies indicate that 16 to 20 breaths per minute is also in the normal range. Depending on age, age-specific respiration rates are:

• Newborns (up to 6 weeks): 20 to 40 breaths per minute.
• 6 months: 25 to 40 breaths per minute.
• 3 years: 20-30 breaths per minute.
• 6 years: 18-25 breaths per minute.
• 10 years: 17-23 breaths per minute.
• Adults: 12-18 breaths per minute.
• Elderly, over 65 years: 12-28 breaths per minute.
• Elderly, over 80 years: 10-30 breaths per minute.

Abnormal breathing frequency disorders

Tachypnea

In adults, any breathing rate between 12 and 20 breaths per minute is normal. Tachypnea occurs when that rate is greater than 20 breaths per minute. In children, tachypnea can be a sign of pneumonia.

Many doctors point out that tachypnea is any type of rapid breathing; hyperventilation and hyperpnea would fall into this category. While other specialists differentiate tachypnea from hyperventilation and hyperpnea.

Sometimes tachypnea is differentiated from hyperpnea since tachypnea is rapid and shallow breaths; hyperpnea is fast, deep breaths.

Tachypnea may be accompanied by dizziness or lightheadedness, visual disturbances, and tingling. It can occur due to psychological or pathological causes. Many individual causes can cause it. Physical exercise and labor induce tachypnea, for example.

On the other hand, tachypnea can be a symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning. This occurs when oxygen transport to tissues and organs is interrupted; causes hypoxia and direct cell injury.

Bradypnea

Bradypnea is an abnormally low breathing rate. The frequency of respiration at which it is diagnosed depends on the age of the patient:

• In children under one year: less than 30 breaths per minute.
• 1 to 3 years: less than 25 breaths per minute.
• Ages 3 to 12: Less than 20 breaths per minute.
• Ages 12 to 50: Less than 12 breaths per minute.
• From 50 years onwards: less than 13 breaths per minute.

Symptoms of bradypnea include dizziness, fainting, fatigue, weakness, chest pains, shortness of breath, memory loss, and quickly becoming fatigued from any physical activity.

Bradypnea can have many causes. Some of the most common are: degeneration of heart tissues due to age or damage to heart tissues due to heart attacks or heart disease; congenital heart disease also causes it.

Hypertension, hypothyroidism, and some types of medications can cause bradypnea as well.

Additionally, an electrolyte imbalance, inflammatory diseases such as lupus or rheumatic fever, hemochromatosis, sleep apnea, or interruption of breathing during sleep can also cause this disorder.

If the bradypnea is severe or the case is urgent, supplemental oxygen can be given to the patient. Other treatments include surgeries to correct intracranial pressure to treatments in specialized centers.

References

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