Abnormal breathing rhythms also known as abnormal breathing patterns indicate an underlying pathology. These breathing patterns are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory illnesses. Breathing patterns is included in the vital signs that are important to be assessed to see if there are changes such as an abnormally fast or slow breathing which affects the delicate balance between respiration and metabolism.

• Cheyne stokes respiration

This breathing pattern is characterized by which the breathing pattern first gets shallow then progressively deeper and then gets shallow again it is followed by apnea (cessation of breathing) that lasts up to 30 seconds and then the pattern starts over. This indicates a poor prognostic sign commonly seen in stroke patients, patients with traumatic brain injuries, patients with brain tumors, carbon monoxide poisoning victims and patients with metabolic encephalopathy. This can also be seen as a side effect of morphine. This can also be seen in children or in sleep which is a normal finding. The management for a patient with cheyne stokes respiration is a medical therapy for congestive heart failure, continuous positive airway pressure and with supplemental oxygen.

• Cluster respiration/ Biot’s breathing

This is an abnormal respiratory pattern that are a cluster of rapid respirations with equal depth or a ventricular tachycardia followed by apnea at regular periods. This abnormal respiration is caused by damage to the medulla oblongata secondary to stroke due to cardiovascular accident, trauma, pressure to the medulla oblongata due to uncal or tentorial herniation. Opioid abuse might also cause biot’s breathing.

• Kussmaul’s respiration

This is an abnormal breathing pattern characterized by a type of hyperventilation that is labored. The breathing is consistently deep and rapid. Also associated with sighing, this abnormal breathing pattern is commonly manifested by patients with metabolic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis and renal failure. In this breathing, the patient has increased hunger for air.

• Apneustic

Apneustic respirations have prolonged inspiration time followed by also a prolonged expiration time. This is due to the damage in the upper portion of the brain stem which is the pons

• Ataxic respirations

This is characterized by an irregular breathing pattern with pauses that are irregular and increasing episodes of apnea. This is most often caused by the damage to the medulla oblongata due to trauma or stroke. This indicates poor prognosis.

• Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

This abnormal breathing pattern usually causes the patient to awake from sleep and sit up to get relief. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is associated with pulmonary edema

• Hyperventilation

This is an increase of the breathin rate of more than 20 breaths per minute. This can result to dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness and anxiety.

• Hypoventilation

This breathing unlike hyperventilation is too slow that is the breathing rate is less than 15 breaths per minute. This will cause an increase in carbon dioxide in the blood and a decrease in oxygen levels. This may be seen on emergency incidents which need CPR. The CPR Nashville offers CPR courses for one to train and know basic life support.