1. Initiation of exercise – When you exercise, your body uses more oxygen, and the level of carbon dioxide increases, so your breathing rate increases to cope with this extra demand.
2. Moderate exercise – Your body continues to cope with the demand for oxygen which needs an increased breathing rate.
3. Asthma attack – During an asthma attack, the air gets trapped inside the lungs b=making it harder to breathe
4. Abrupt ascent into high altitudes – The reduced oxygen content in higher altitudes makes is so that we need to breathe more frequently to meet our oxygen needs.
5. Pneumonia - The infection causes the lungs' air sacs to become inflamed and fill up with fluid or pus, making it harder for oxygen to get into the bloodstream.
6. Paralysis of phrenic nerve – The phrenic nerve allows the diaphragm to contract and expand, making it possible for us to inhale and exhale. Paralysis makes it harder for this to be possible
7. Severe tuberculosis with resulting lung scar tissue – Post tuberculosis, residual lung damage is observed which affects the volume and ability of the lungs to get air.
8. Severe anemia – With a lack of iron your body can't produce enough of a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen, as a result the body overcompensates.
9. advanced COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) - COPD can make you prone to alterations in oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood or lungs.
10. Advanced pregnancy – The enlarging uterus may press up against the diaphragm, making it harder to breathe in. Progesterone may also raise respiratory levels in pregnant women