1. Initiation of exercise
When we begin an exercise, our muscles gradually work harder thus making the body use more oxygen and produce more carbon dioxide, and so to cope, our breathing rate begins to increase as well. Sometimes, psychological factors can trigger the increase as well, especially when one thinks of his or her workout agenda.
2. Moderate exercise
As we increase the exercise to moderate intensity, our bodies need to keep consuming oxygen at a greater than resting rate once exercise has finished to make up for an oxygen "debt" created during the initiation of exercise. The oxygen deficit will be greater and the length of the elevated respiration rate and depth after the workout will be longer when the training becomes more intense and longer in duration.
3. Asthma attack
An asthma attack causes the airways to swell and inflame. The breathing tubes (bronchial tubes) narrow as a result of the muscles around the airways contracting and producing additional mucus which causes coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties as a result.
4. Abrupt ascent into high altitudes
The primary lung response to an abrupt ascent into high altitudes is hyperventilation, which works in conjunction with an increased heart rate to ensure that the tissues receive an appropriate amount of oxygen. The pulmonary artery pressure and endothelial permeability also rise along with the breathing rate, which may contribute to the extravascular lung fluid buildup.
5. Pneumonia
The lungs are filled with fluid and dead lung tissue as the infection and inflammation worsen, which results in the mucus a patient coughs up. With that said, this fluid may impair the efficiency with which oxygen enters the patient’s system, making breathing difficult thus increasing the respiratory rate.
6. Paralysis of phrenic nerve
Breathing or respiration depends heavily on the phrenic nerve wherein our diaphragm contracts and expands, as a result, allowing us to breathe in and out. A paralyzed diaphragm can result from a phrenic nerve injury and thus could manifest in trouble falling asleep, continuous hiccups, and feeling out of breath.
7. Severe tuberculosis with resulting lung scar tissue
As severe tuberculosis with resulting lung scar tissue cause swelling of the mucous membranes lining the bronchi, increasing bronchial mucus production, and slowing the flow of the thick mucus by ciliated cells, airway inflammation can impair lung protection and regeneration. This limits microbial clearance and causes airway inflammation that leads to airway obstruction, making airways smaller, increasing air velocity, and pushing air to open areas.
8. Severe anemia
Our body does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood if we have anemia resulting in fatigue or weakness as a result of the lack of oxygen and our body's ongoing efforts to replenish oxygen levels to normal. We may also experience headaches, dizziness, or an erratic pulse.
9. Advanced COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Having advanced COPD, the tissue where oxygen is exchanged is destroyed, and the airways in your lungs enlarge and swell thus making the patient’s lungs' capacity to breathe reduced. As a result, less oxygen reaches the body's tissues, making it more challenging to expel the waste gas carbon dioxide.
10. Advanced Pregnancy
Pregnancy often results in breathlessness, especially in the third trimester (weeks 27 to 40). As the uterus starts to press on the diaphragm, it may be challenging for your lungs to expand due to the size of your womb and the positioning of your baby.
.
.
.
References:
Cogo, A. (2011, February 28). The lung at high altitude - multidisciplinary respiratory medicine. BioMed Central. https://mrmjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2049-6958-6-1-14
How to regain strength after pneumonia. Houston Methodist On Health. https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2021/jun/how-to-regain-strength-after-pneumonia/
Learn about COPD. American Lung Association. (n.d.). https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/learn-about-copd
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021, October 1). Asthma attack. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma-attack/symptoms-causes/syc-20354268#:~:text=During%20an%20asthma%20attack%2C%20also,wheeze%20and%20have%20trouble%20breathing.
Phrenic nerve: Anatomy & Function. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22270-phrenic-nerve
Respiratory responses to exercise — PT Direct. (n.d.). https://www.ptdirect.com/training-design/anatomy-and-physiology/acute-respiratory-responses
Torrelles, J. B., & Schlesinger, L. S. (2017). Integrating Lung Physiology, Immunology and Tuberculosis. Trends in microbiology, 25(8), 688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2017.03.007
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). What is anemia? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia
Warning signs during pregnancy - breathlessness or chest pain. HSE.ie. (n.d.). https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/warning-signs-during-pregnancy/breathlessness-chest-pain/