Health Tip: When Breathing Is Rapid and Shallow

(HealthDay News) -- Tachypnea is the medical term for breathing that is abnormally rapid and shallow.

If you have the condition, the University of Maryland Medical Center says possible causes include:

  • A chronic respiratory illness, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • An infection of the lungs, such as pneumonia.
  • Chest pain.
  • A blood clot in the lung, sometimes called a pulmonary embolism.

    • Symptoms of rapid, shallow breathing should not be self-treated, and are "generally considered a medical emergency," the hospital warns.

    Date Published: 11/25/2010

    Related Articles

    Search Articles

    Your Nose May Decide How Bad Your Cold Gets, Study Finds

    New Trial Shows Pfizer’s mRNA Flu Shot Beats Traditional Flu Vaccine

    Flu Season Starts Early in NYC as Cases Rise Fast

    Holiday Flu Surge Drives Record Illness Across the U.S. — Here's What You Can Do

    The Flu Vaccine Can Lower Your Risk Of Heart Attack And Stroke — Even If You Wind Up Infected

    Sepsis, Lung Infection Patients See No Benefit From Remote Monitoring