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Tachypnea is a medical term used to describe rapid breathing, which is a symptom that can be caused by a wide variety of health conditions, in which the body tries to make up for the lack of oxygen with faster breathing.
In some cases, tachypnea may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as shortness of breath and bluish color in the fingers and lips, which are symptoms that may be related to the lack of oxygen.
In the event of a tachypnea episode, it is advisable to go immediately to the emergency room, to make a correct diagnosis and treatment and avoid complications.
Possible causes
The most common conditions that can lead to the occurrence of tachypnea are:
1. Respiratory infections
Respiratory infections, when they affect the lungs, can cause difficulty in breathing. To compensate for this decrease in oxygen, the person may experience faster breathing, especially if they suffer from bronchitis or pneumonia.
What to do: Treatment for respiratory infection usually consists of administering antibiotics if it is a bacterial infection. In addition, it may be necessary to administer a bronchodilator drug to facilitate breathing.
2. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
COPD is a group of respiratory diseases, the most common being pulmonary emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing and breathing difficulties. This disease occurs due to inflammation and damage to the lungs, caused mainly by the use of cigarettes, which destroys the tissue that forms the airways.
What to do: COPD has no cure, but it is possible to control the disease through treatment with bronchodilator drugs and corticosteroids. In addition, lifestyle changes and physical therapy can also help to improve symptoms. Learn more about treatment.
3. Asthma
Asthma is a respiratory disease characterized by difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing and tightness in the chest, which can be triggered by allergic factors or be related to genetic factors, and the symptoms can be manifested in the first months of the baby's life. or at any stage of life.
What to do: To control asthma and prevent seizures, it is important to follow the treatment indicated by the pulmonologist using the appropriate remedies to control the inflammation of the bronchi and facilitate breathing, such as corticosteroids and bronchodilators, for example.
4. Anxiety disorders
People who suffer from anxiety disorders may suffer from tachypnea during a panic attack, which may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as increased heart rate, nausea, feeling of fear, tremors and chest pain, for example.
What to do: Generally, people with anxiety disorders must be accompanied by a psychologist and undergo psychotherapy sessions. In some cases, it may be necessary to take medications, such as antidepressants and anxiolytics, which must be prescribed by the psychiatrist. Know what to do in the face of a panic attack.
5. Decreased pH in the blood
The decrease in the pH of the blood, makes it more acidic, making the body need to eliminate carbon dioxide, in order to recover the normal pH, by accelerating the breath. Some conditions that can cause a decrease in blood pH are diabetic ketoacidosis, heart disease, cancer, liver encephalopathy and sepsis.
What to do: In these cases, if the person has any of these diseases and suffers an episode of tachypnea, it is recommended to go to the hospital immediately. Treatment will depend on the cause of the decrease in blood pH.
6. Transient tachypnea of the newborn
The newborn's transient tachypnea occurs because the baby's lungs are trying to get more oxygen. When a baby reaches term, its body begins to absorb the liquid that has been accumulating in the lungs, to breathe after birth. In some newborns, this liquid is not completely absorbed, resulting in rapid breathing.
What to do: the treatment is done at the hospital right after birth, by boosting oxygen.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team
Bibliography>
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