What is the respiratory rate? What level is normal?

Breathing rate (breath rate) is a measure of the number of breaths in a minute. The respiratory rate is regulated and controlled by the respiratory center. General rule to monitor respiratory rate:
Subject should be rested before taking the measurement for about 15 minutes. Subjects previously measured respiratory rate did not use respiratory stimulants or injections or other activities affecting breathing rate. Follow the correct technical procedures and instructions to monitor breathing. Measurement results are recorded accurately and clearly.

Normal breathing will have features such as: breathing process is regular, smooth, air through the nose slowly and deeply.
Normal breathing rate in adults is 16-20 breaths/minute, breathing is regular, breathing amplitude is average, respiration is strong and exhalation time is short.
Normal respiratory rate in children will be divided by month of age/age:
Newborns: 40-60 breaths/minute Children under 6 months old: 35-40 breaths/minute Children 7-12 months: 30 - 35 times/minute Children 2 - 3 years old: 25 - 30 times/minute Children 4 - 6 years old: 20 - 25 times/minute Children 7 - 15 years old: 18 -20 times/minute

3.1. Physiological changes Physiological breathing changes are changes in normal, healthy people. Breathing rate will increase rapidly due to having to breathe faster and deeper than usual. This change is common in the following cases: after work, exercise, hot weather, sultry,... In contrast, a slower breathing rate will be found in some people thanks to exercise and exercise. Qigong, so the breathing rate will be slower than normal people.

3.2. Pathological changes In the case of pathology, the breathing rate will change both the breathing rate and the breathing amplitude. This is shortness of breath. The symptom of dyspnea is common but sometimes it is difficult to diagnose and treat, especially in patients with acute episodes of dyspnea. When dealing with emergency cases of breathing difficulty, doctors should note possible life-threatening causes such as airway obstruction, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease...
Rhythm Cheyne-Stokes breathing: Common in patients with cerebral hemorrhage, brain tumor, intoxication. It is characterized by alternating dyspnea and apnea. In a one-minute cycle:
In phase 1, breathing will stop for about 15-20 seconds due to the chest of the respiratory center; In the 2nd tense, it will start with shallow, light, slow breathing and then become fast, deep and strong. It then changes to gentle breathing, then stops and starts a new breathing cycle. This process causes high concentrations of carbon dioxide in the blood and stimulates the respiratory center.

Kussmaul breathing: Common in diabetic coma. It is characterized by a deep inhalation, a short pause in breathing, and a rapid exhalation.
If breathing is difficult, the patient should be cleared of the airway through assessment and control of the airway. Then, the doctor will choose the technique depending on the patient's specific condition to open the airway, such as intubation, the Heimlich maneuver, oxygen, and artificial ventilation.
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