Learn the definition of bradypnea. Understand what causes bradypnea. Know about the signs and symptoms of bradypnea. Learn how bradypnea can be treated.
Updated: 08/22/2021
What is Bradypnea?
What is Bradypnea?
What is bradypnea? The bradypnea definition refers to a slower than normal rate of respiration. The average rate of respiration considered normal for an adult is between 12 to 20 breaths per minute. If the number of breaths per minute drops below 12 for a total period of over two minutes, it is considered to be an abnormally slow respiratory rate and is suggestive of bradypnea. However, because a normal rate of respiration will vary with age and activity levels, no fixed number of breaths per minute is used as a benchmark to diagnose this condition.
This condition is sometimes confused with other respiratory conditions such as apnea, which refers to a temporary halt in breathing; or dyspnea, which refers to heavy or labored breathing. However, each of these is considered a distinct medical condition. An abnormally fast respiration rate (generally above 25 breaths a minute) is known as tachypnea.
This lesson will look at the respiratory condition of bradypnea, including its symptoms, causes, and treatment.
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Age Groups
As mentioned above, there is no fixed rate of respiration that is considered a normal range for all humans. Instead, the normal respiratory rate will vary from person to person, based on the person's activity levels and overall health. There is also a significant difference between the average respiration rate considered normal for people of different age groups.
The average normal respiratory rates for different age groups are:
| Age group | Normal respiratory rate |
|---|---|
| Newborn | 30-60 breaths per minute |
| Infant (1 - 12 months) | 30-60 breaths per minute |
| Toddler (1 - 2 years old) | 24-40 breaths per minute |
| Preschooler (3 - 5 years old) | 22-34 breaths per minute |
| School-age child (6 - 12 years old) | 18-30 breaths per minute |
| Adolescent (13 - 17 years old) | 12-16 breaths per minute |
| Adult | 12-20 breaths per minute |
| Older adults | 12-18 breaths per minute |
| Older adults (in long-term care) | 16-25 breaths per minute |
As seen in the table above, there is great variation in what is considered a normal rate of respiration for people of different age groups. This is why the breathing rate at which a doctor will diagnose bradypnea varies from patient to patient. As a general rule for each age group, a breathing rate lower than the lower normal limit (as specified in the table) is considered suggestive of bradypnea. However, a doctor will make a final diagnosis after taking into account the other vital signs of the patient (such as blood pressure and heart rate), as well as their medical history.
Respirations
Respiration may be a big word, but the process is as easy as, well, breathing. A respiration is one inspiration, or inhale, and one expiration, or exhale. In this process, a person takes in oxygen and rids the body of carbon dioxide.
Generally, we go through our days without having to consciously think about breathing in and out. This is because the high brain, which consists of the medulla oblongata, pons, and cerebral cortex, involuntarily controls the rate of our respirations. But when the body is compromised and cannot properly take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide, our respiratory rate can be altered.
In a normal person, respirations are 12 to 20 breaths per minute, or 1 breath to every 4 heart beats. This person is considered to have eupnea, which is respirations between 12 to 20 breaths per minute. However, factors can disrupt the rate, causing respirations to fall below 12 breaths per minute, and this is known as bradypnea.
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Symptoms of Bradypnea
The definitive sign of bradypnea is a lower-than-normal rate of breathing. The symptoms experienced during bradypnea are similar to those observed in patients suffering from oxygen deprivation. Common bradypnea symptoms include:
- feeling faint, lightheaded, or dizzy
- headaches
- confusion
- weakness
- poor coordination
- chest pain
- chronic fatigue
- memory problems
Apart from these symptoms, a patient experiencing bradypnea may also experience other symptoms due to the underlying cause of bradypnea. For example, if a patient is experiencing bradypnea due to opioid use, they may also experience sleep problems, constipation, itching, and decreased alertness. The following section will take a closer look at different causes of bradypnea.
Bradypnea Causes
Bradypnea, or low respiratory rate, may occur due to a variety of reasons. Most of the time, bradypnea is considered to be a symptom of the root cause rather than a condition in and of itself. Some common low respiratory rate causes include:
- Opioid use: Opioid drugs affect the central nervous system and can lead to a drastic drop in breathing rate.
- Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid gland can cause a deficiency in certain hormones, which may result in a decreased respiration rate. Hypothyroidism may also weaken respiratory muscles or lung capacity, which may result in similar symptoms.
- Toxin exposure: Certain toxins (such as sodium azide or carbon monoxide) can affect the central nervous system and cardiovascular system, resulting in bradypnea.
- Injuries: Injuries that affect the brain and brainstem can cause bradypnea.
- Other: Use of sedatives and anesthesia, lung disorders, breathing problems, nervous system or muscular diseases (such as ALS).
Treatment of Bradypnea
The treatment and outlook for bradypnea vary depending on the underlying causes for this condition and the patient's overall physical condition.
In severe cases, supplemental oxygen will be provided to the patient as a form of urgent treatment. Some examples of treatments for common underlying causes of bradypnea include:
- Hypothyroidism: The patient will be prescribed daily thyroid medication
- Opioid addiction: The patient will be referred to opioid addiction recovery programs. If the patient has overdosed, a drug called Naloxone can counter the effects of the overdose.
- Toxins: Treatments may be prescribed for the poison, and medical professionals will carefully monitor the patient
- Head injury: Supportive care and monitoring. In severe cases, surgery may be required.
Timely treatment of bradypnea is crucial to prevent complications such as hypoxemia (low blood oxygen), respiratory acidosis (high acidity of blood), and complete respiratory failure.
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Lesson Summary
Bradypnea is a respiratory condition characterized by a slow respiratory rate. The average normal breathing rate in adults is between 12 to 20 breaths per minute. A rate below 12 breaths per minute for a period longer than two minutes is generally considered a sign of bradypnea. However, there is often some variation in what is considered a normal breathing rate based on a person's activity levels and overall health. Furthermore, the normal rate of respiration varies greatly between people of different age groups:
- Newborn - 30-60 breaths per minute (or bpm)
- Infant: 30-60 bpm
- Toddler: 24-40 bpm
- Preschooler: 22-34 bpm
- School-age child: 18-30 bpm
- Adolescent: 12-16 bpm
- Adult: 12-20 bpm
- Older adults: 12-18 bpm
- Older adults: 16-25 bpm
Common symptoms of bradypnea include feeling faint, lightheaded, or dizzy, headaches, confusion, and weakness. Symptoms and treatments generally vary based on the underlying cause of bradypnea, which can include opioid use, hypothyroidism, toxin exposure, or injuries. In severe cases, supplemental oxygen will be provided to the patient, which can help prevent complications due to bradypnea (such as hypoxemia and complete respiratory failure.)
Causes of Bradypnea
There are several factors that can contribute to bradypnea, such as pulmonary obstructions, increased intracranial pressure, obesity, alcohol consumption, and cardiogenic shock. However, the most common factors that cause bradypnea are overuse of narcotics, brain disorders, and hypothyroidism.
Narcotics are used widely in health care to reduce pain. A narcotic binds to opioid receptors to reduce pain. Narcotics also suppress the central nervous system, therefore reducing the activity of the medulla oblongata, pons, and cerebral cortex, leading to depression of the respiratory rate. To avoid bradypnea, health care providers limit dosages and frequencies of administration for narcotics.
Brain disorders consist of damage to brain tissue, tumors, and increased intracranial pressure. When a person suffers from a cerebral vascular accident, or a clot that travels to the brain and reduces blood flow, there is a decrease of blood flow to the brain tissue. This deprives the brain tissue of nutrients and oxygen. Brain tumors and increased intracranial pressure apply pressure to the blood vessels in the brain, which may reduce blood flow to the brain tissue. All of these factors can deprive the medulla oblongata, pons, and cerebral cortex from functioning normally, which can cause bradypnea.
Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder in which a person produces little or no thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones stimulate the metabolic process. Without thyroid hormones, a person is at risk for a decreased temperature and heart rate, which can lead to bradypnea.
Treatment
Bradypnea is a secondary disorder. A secondary disorder is caused from a primary disorder. Treatment varies based on what the primary disorder is. For example, if a person is having bradypnea because of narcotic consumption, narcotics should be stopped. However, some people may need further treatment even if the narcotics are stopped. Narcan is an opioid antagonist that reverses the effect of narcotics and stimulates the central nervous system.
Treatment for bradypnea in brain disorders also depend on the brain disorder. Initial treatment is administration of oxygen. However, depending on the severity of the disorder, bradypnea is commonly treated with mechanical ventilation. Mechanical ventilation uses a machine to help patients with their inspiration and expiration.
Treatment for bradypnea in hypothyroidism consists of treating the decreased thyroid hormone. Synthyroid, a synthetic thyroid hormone, is the common medication used to treat hypothyroidism.
Lesson Summary
Bradypnea is a respiratory rate of less than 12 breaths per minute. Bradypnea is a secondary disorder commonly caused by overuse of narcotics, brain disorders, and hypothyroidism. Treatment of bradypnea is determined by the primary cause and can be resolved if the primary disorder is treated.
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Video Transcript
Respirations
Respiration may be a big word, but the process is as easy as, well, breathing. A respiration is one inspiration, or inhale, and one expiration, or exhale. In this process, a person takes in oxygen and rids the body of carbon dioxide.
Generally, we go through our days without having to consciously think about breathing in and out. This is because the high brain, which consists of the medulla oblongata, pons, and cerebral cortex, involuntarily controls the rate of our respirations. But when the body is compromised and cannot properly take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide, our respiratory rate can be altered.
In a normal person, respirations are 12 to 20 breaths per minute, or 1 breath to every 4 heart beats. This person is considered to have eupnea, which is respirations between 12 to 20 breaths per minute. However, factors can disrupt the rate, causing respirations to fall below 12 breaths per minute, and this is known as bradypnea.
Causes of Bradypnea
There are several factors that can contribute to bradypnea, such as pulmonary obstructions, increased intracranial pressure, obesity, alcohol consumption, and cardiogenic shock. However, the most common factors that cause bradypnea are overuse of narcotics, brain disorders, and hypothyroidism.
Narcotics are used widely in health care to reduce pain. A narcotic binds to opioid receptors to reduce pain. Narcotics also suppress the central nervous system, therefore reducing the activity of the medulla oblongata, pons, and cerebral cortex, leading to depression of the respiratory rate. To avoid bradypnea, health care providers limit dosages and frequencies of administration for narcotics.
Brain disorders consist of damage to brain tissue, tumors, and increased intracranial pressure. When a person suffers from a cerebral vascular accident, or a clot that travels to the brain and reduces blood flow, there is a decrease of blood flow to the brain tissue. This deprives the brain tissue of nutrients and oxygen. Brain tumors and increased intracranial pressure apply pressure to the blood vessels in the brain, which may reduce blood flow to the brain tissue. All of these factors can deprive the medulla oblongata, pons, and cerebral cortex from functioning normally, which can cause bradypnea.
Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder in which a person produces little or no thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones stimulate the metabolic process. Without thyroid hormones, a person is at risk for a decreased temperature and heart rate, which can lead to bradypnea.
Treatment
Bradypnea is a secondary disorder. A secondary disorder is caused from a primary disorder. Treatment varies based on what the primary disorder is. For example, if a person is having bradypnea because of narcotic consumption, narcotics should be stopped. However, some people may need further treatment even if the narcotics are stopped. Narcan is an opioid antagonist that reverses the effect of narcotics and stimulates the central nervous system.
Treatment for bradypnea in brain disorders also depend on the brain disorder. Initial treatment is administration of oxygen. However, depending on the severity of the disorder, bradypnea is commonly treated with mechanical ventilation. Mechanical ventilation uses a machine to help patients with their inspiration and expiration.
Treatment for bradypnea in hypothyroidism consists of treating the decreased thyroid hormone. Synthyroid, a synthetic thyroid hormone, is the common medication used to treat hypothyroidism.
Lesson Summary
Bradypnea is a respiratory rate of less than 12 breaths per minute. Bradypnea is a secondary disorder commonly caused by overuse of narcotics, brain disorders, and hypothyroidism. Treatment of bradypnea is determined by the primary cause and can be resolved if the primary disorder is treated.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of Bradypnea?
The symptoms of bradypnea are generally similar to those of oxygen deprivation. These include:
- Feeling faint, lightheaded, or dizzy
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Poor coordination
- Chest pain
- Chronic fatigue
- Memory problems
In some cases bradypnea may result in complications such as hypoxemia, respiratory acidosis, or complete respiratory failure.
What does Bradypnea mean?
Bradypnea means a slower than normal rate of respiration. For most adults this slower rate would be below 12 breaths per minute, for a period of over two minutes. However, this level may vary based on the patient's age group, activity levels, and overall health.
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