Breathing, rapid
Alternative names:
fast breathing; hyperventilation; increased rate of breathing; rapid breathing; respiratory rate-rapid; tachypnea
Home care:
Symptoms that result from rapid breathing can often be eliminated by breathing into a paper bag, so that the carbon dioxide is taken back into the lungs. This process usually takes anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes with a small PAPER bag held loosely over both the nose and the mouth.
Reassure the person that the hyperventilation is a symptom, not a disease. Usually when the anxiety or fear subsides, the symptom will subside also.
Call your health care provider if:
- in doubt about what is causing the hyperventilation.
- there is severe pain.
- hyperventilation persists despite home treatment, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms.
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting your symptom in detail may include: - How fast is the breathing?
- Is there nasal flaring, use of the chest muscles (intercostal retractions), blue skin (cyanosis), or other signs of difficulty breathing?
- Does the person feel short of breath? Do they complain of air hunger?
- What physical problems does the person have? Are they diabetic?
- What medications has the person taken?
- What is happening in the person's life?
- Is there a feeling of anxiety or stress?
- Did anxiety trigger the hyperventilation, or did the hyperventilation occur and then the person become anxious?
- Is there pain? How much? What type? Where?
- What other symptoms are also present?
The physical examination will include an examination of the heart and lungs.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include: Intervention:
A tranquilizing drug may be administered; but it is preferred to NOT use medications if possible to treat this symptom. Whatever is causing the hyperventilation will have to be controlled. Treating the symptom will not solve the problem over the long term.
After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to hyperventilation to your personal medical record.
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