1. Initiation of exercise
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At the beginning of an exercise, we’re not breathing as hard since there’s a store of oxygen in our body. However, when the supply of oxygen runs short, our body will require more oxygen; as a result, the heart rate increases to keep up with the demand of blood which circulates throughout the body to transfer energy, oxygen, and nutrients to the regions that need it.
2. Moderate exercise
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The muscles require more blood and oxygen when they are working out and as the level of exercise increases, our breathing rate also increases to bring more oxygen into our lungs and provide the muscles with enough oxygen.
3. Asthma attack
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During an asthma attack, the muscles surrounding the airways constrict; the lining inside the airways swells, and gets obstructed with a lot of thick mucus. Because the airways are much thinner than usual, it is more difficult to transport air into and out of the air sacs, making it harder to breathe.
4. Abrupt ascent into high altitudes
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Air pressure drops as altitude rises, reducing the amount of oxygen available for breathing. As a result, we will experience shortness of breath since our lungs will have to work harder to get oxygen into the bloodstream, causing us to breathe rapidly.
5. Pneumonia
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It is an infection that causes the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs to become inflamed and fill up with fluid or pus. Given this, it could be difficult for oxygen to enter your bloodstream which will then result in an increase in breathing rate.
6. Paralysis of phrenic nerve
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Phrenic nerve causes our diaphragm to contract and expand, giving our lungs the ability to inhale and exhale air. Damage to a phrenic nerve can lead to diaphragm weakness or paralysis, which impairs our lungs' capacity to exchange air.
7. Severe tuberculosis with resulting lung scar tissue
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When lung tissue is harmed and scarred, a lung condition is developed, which is called pulmonary fibrosis. The lungs have a harder time functioning properly due to this stiffened, thicker tissue, and as it worsens, it will result in progressively shortness of breath.
8. Severe anemia
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The body doesn't have enough strong red blood cells to supply tissues with enough oxygen, which will cause the lungs to overcompensate by attempting to take in more oxygen, and makes breathing difficult.
9. Advanced COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
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With COPD, the tissue that exchanges oxygen is destroyed and the airways in the lungs swell and inflame, which reduces the amount of air that can enter and leave the body. The body's tissues receive less oxygen as a result, making it more difficult to eliminate the waste gas carbon dioxide.
10. Advanced pregnancy
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During pregnancy, the uterus is expanding and pushing up into the abdomen which squeezes the lungs a bit, reducing the space they have for oxygen exchange.
References:
Asthma Attacks - Department of Pediatrics. (n.d.). UVA School of Medicine. https://med.virginia.edu/pediatrics/clinical-and-patient-services/patient-tutorials/asthma/asthma-attacks/
Learn About COPD. (n.d.). American Lung Association. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/learn-about-copd
Learn About Pneumonia. (n.d.). American Lung Association. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumonia/learn-about-pneumonia
Mobley, G. F. (2022, September 19). Altitude. National Geographic Society. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/altitude
Phrenic Nerve: Anatomy & Function. (2022, January 9). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22270-phrenic-nerve
Pulmonary Fibrosis: What is It, Causes, Symptoms, Testing & Treatment. (2021, April 5). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10959-pulmonary-fibrosis
Shortness of Breath In Pregnancy. (n.d.). Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/decision_guide/shortness-of-breath-in-pregnancy
Stein, D. (2020, March 16). Understanding Respiratory Rate and Exercise. NFPT. https://www.nfpt.com/blog/understanding-respiratory-rate-and-exercise
10 Symptoms of Anemia You Shouldn’t Ignore. (2020, July 24). Texas Medical Institute. https://www.texasmedicalinstitute.com/10-symptoms-of-anemia-you-shouldnt-ignore/