Rapid shallow breathing

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Diaphragm

Diaphragm and lungs

Respiratory system

Overview

Treatment

Rapid shallow breathing

Alternative Names:

Tachypnea; Breathing - rapid and shallow; Fast shallow breathing; Respiratory rate - rapid and shallow

Home Care:

Rapid, shallow breathing should not be treated at home and is generally considered a medical emergency.

If you have asthma or COPD, then use your inhaler medications as prescribed by your doctor. You may still need to be seen right away. Your doctor will explain when it is important to go to the emergency room.

Call your health care provider if:

Call your doctor right away or go to the emergency room if you are breathing rapidly, especially if you:

have chest pain
have shortness of breath
have a fever
have never experienced rapid breathing before
do not know the cause

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Whether you are being examined at a hospital emergency room or at your doctor's office, the physician will do a thorough exam of your heart, lungs, abdomen, and head and neck. Tests that may be ordered include:

CBC and blood chemistries
Arterial blood gas to check your oxygen level
Chest X-ray
ECG
Ventilation/perfusion scan of your lungs

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the rapid breathing. Treatment may include oxygen if your oxygen level is too low and nebulized respiratory treatments if you are having an asthma attack.

Review Date: 10/30/2004
Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, D.O., Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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