Breathing Disorders - Types and Management

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What are respiratory disorders?

Respiratory disorders are lung diseases, which are diseases or disorders that can affect respiratory function, the ability to breathe, and how well the lungs work. Lung disease is the third-leading cause of death in the U.S., and lung disease and other breathing problems are leading causes of death in infants.

What are breathing pattern disorders?

Breathing pattern disorders are patterns of overbreathing, where the depth and rate of breath are in excess of the body’s needs. This occurs during exciting or stressful situations such as before an examination or when you move quickly to get out of danger.

Do you have a chronic breathing pattern disorder?

You may notice chest and throat tightness, chest pain around the breast bone and breathlessness. Approximately 6-12% of the population experience chronic breathing pattern disorders, but some people are more affected than others. Chronic (long-term) changes in your breathing pattern can be very subtle and may happen over a long period of time.

What are examples of respiratory disorders?

Examples of respiratory disorders include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, lung cancer, pneumonia, the flu, and others.

What should I consider if I have a breathing pattern disorder?

You may also like to consider stress factors in your life and decide whether or not it is possible to change or avoid these triggers. Coordinating breathing and talking is a common problem in breathing pattern disorders where speech interferes with the background rhythm of breathing.

What is a normal breathing pattern?

A normal or optimal breathing pattern should be a gentle, silent, rhythmic average sized breaths with an in breath through nose using the diaphragm (lower chest muscle) at a rate of 12 to 16 breaths/minute and a relatively still upper chest movement. Breathing in through nose is important as it warms, humidifies, filters air and cleanses the air.

What Is Breathing Disorders

1. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/
2. https://www.verywellhealth.com/respiratory-diseases-5206842
3. https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/breathing-pattern-disorders-an-overview/
4. https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/Media/UHS-website-2019/Patientinformation/Respiratory/Breathing-pattern-disorders-patient-information.pdf
5. https://www.emedicinehealth.com/what_are_respiratory_disorders/article_em.htm
6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/copd/symptoms-causes/syc-20353679
7. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/lungs-and-airways/shortness-of-breath
8. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(copd)

Breathing Disorders Information

1. https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/documents/documents/patient-information-leaflets-a-z/breathing-pattern-disorder/
2. https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/what-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease