Bradypnea is abnormally slow

breathing Breathing (spiration or ventilation) is the rhythmical process of moving air into ( inhalation) and out of ( exhalation) the lungs to facilitate gas exchange with the internal environment, mostly to flush out carbon dioxide and bring in oxy ...

. The

respiratory rate The respiratory rate is the rate at which breathing occurs; it is set and controlled by the respiratory center of the brain. A person's respiratory rate is usually measured in breaths per minute. Measurement The respiratory rate in humans is mea ...

at which bradypnea is diagnosed depends on the age of the person, with the limit being higher during childhood.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of bradypnea may include: *Dizziness *Near-fainting (drowsiness) or fainting *

Fatigue Fatigue is a state of tiredness (which is not sleepiness), exhaustion or loss of energy. It is a signs and symptoms, symptom of any of various diseases; it is not a disease in itself. Fatigue (in the medical sense) is sometimes associated wit ...

*Weakness *Chest pains *

Shortness of breath Shortness of breath (SOB), known as dyspnea (in AmE) or dyspnoea (in BrE), is an uncomfortable feeling of not being able to breathe well enough. The American Thoracic Society defines it as "a subjective experience of breathing discomfort that con ...

*Memory impairment or confusion *Tiring easily during any physical activity *Shortage of breath

Causes

*Degeneration of heart tissue because of aging *Damage to tissues in the heart from heart attack, heart disease or injury *High blood pressure or

hypertension Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a Chronic condition, long-term Disease, medical condition in which the blood pressure in the artery, arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms i ...

*Congenital heart defect which is a permanent disorder present at birth *Heart tissue infection also known as myocarditis -Complication of heart surgery *

Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disease in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. It can cause a number of symptoms, such as cold intolerance, poor ability to tolerate cold, fatigue, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, co ...

or an underactive thyroid glandWilliams, Mark.
"The Basic Geriatric Respiratory Examination."
Medscape. 25 Nov 2009. *Imbalance of electrolytes which are mineral related substances needed for conducting electrical impulses *

Obstructive sleep apnea Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder and is characterized by recurrent episodes of complete or partial airway obstruction, obstruction of the respiratory tract#Upper respiratory tract, upper airway lea ...

which is the repeated disruption of breathing during sleep due to obstruction to the airway *Inflammatory disease, such as lupus or rheumatic fever *Buildup of iron in the organs known as

hemochromatosis Iron overload is the abnormal and increased accumulation of total iron in the body, leading to organ damage. The primary mechanism of organ damage is oxidative stress, as elevated intracellular iron levels increase free radical formation via the ...

*Medications, such as drugs for other heart rhythm disorders as well as high blood pressure and narcotic pain medications may also decrease respiratory rate *

Dysautonomia Dysautonomia, autonomic failure, or autonomic dysfunction is a condition in which the autonomic nervous system (ANS) does not work properly. This condition may affect the functioning of the heart, bladder, intestines, sweat glands, pupils, and ...

(dysfunction of the

autonomic nervous system The autonomic nervous system (ANS), sometimes called the visceral nervous system and formerly the vegetative nervous system, is a division of the nervous system that operates viscera, internal organs, smooth muscle and glands. The autonomic nervo ...

)

Treatment

If urgent treatment is needed,

supplemental oxygen A breathing apparatus or breathing set is equipment which allows a person to breathe in a hostile environment where breathing would otherwise be impossible, difficult, harmful, or hazardous, or assists a person to breathe. A respirator, medical v ...

is given to the individual. Treatments can range from surgery to correct dangerous intracranial pressure, to stays in rehabilitation facilities for bradypnea caused by addiction problems.

Etymology

The word ''bradypnea'' uses combining forms of '' brady-'' + '' -pnea'', from (

Greek Greek may refer to: Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor of all kno ...

from ''bradys'', slow + ''pnoia'', breath).

References

External links