Concept in Definition ABC

The bradypnea is a term used to refer to a decrease in respiratory rate. It is a sign that accompanies various disorders of the respiratory system.

Bradypnea must be distinguished from two related terms. On the one hand we have the dyspnoea, which is a condition where the breathing it is carried out with difficulty. Another is the apnea, where there is absence of respiration.

Normal respiratory rate

Under normal conditions we adults breathe in an average of 12 to 20 times every minute. The kids they usually have a greater number of breaths that reach 25. In the case of infants and children in the lactation stage, the respiratory rate is between 25. When this rate falls below 12 breaths per minute, it is called bradypnea.

In order to determine the respiratory rate, it is necessary to look at the person while breathing. It can also be done during auscultation of the chest.

Main causes of bradypnea

The respiratory rate can decrease in various disorders, mainly:

- In people who carry out sports trainingsince they have a higher efficiency in the consumption of oxygen.

- When there is involvement of the muscles related to breathing, as is the case with the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm muscle. This occurs as a consequence of some diseases of the nervous system which are accompanied by muscle paralysis.

- In traumatic conditions when there are fractures of the ribs and / or the sternum. In these cases the person breathes less frequently as a mechanism to avoid pain.

- In people suffering from diseases that obstruct the normal passage of the air through the bronchi, mainly in asthmatics and emphysematous with bronchitis chronicle. In both cases, inspiration and expiration are prolonged in time, producing a decrease in the number of breaths.

- Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol in excess is capable of depressing the function of the respiratory system producing bradypnea.

- Medication use. Some medications such as sedatives could decrease the respiratory rate, causing bradypnea. This also occurs with those who take opioid-based pain medication (derived from morphine).

What to do in case of bradypnea?

Before carrying out any measure it is necessary to identify the cause.

If the person is stable and can breathe without difficulty, it is advisable to see a doctor to evaluate if there is any damage to the respiratory system or the nervous system that is causing this condition.

In the case of people with antecedent from asthma or chronic bronchitis it is important to give them the rescue medication they use in this type of situation. These mainly include bronchodilator medications that are used as inhalers or nebulized.

People who have bradypnea and also show signs of shortness of breath (such as loud sounds when taking air, sinking of the muscles between the ribs or above the clavicles, or fluttering of the nose) should be immediately transferred to a unit of emergency. In this condition, the supply of oxygen to the various tissues can be compromised, which can cause serious damage and sequelae.

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