What Is Hypoventilation?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
4. Bradypnea
While the previous conditions do occur while sleeping, bradypnea can occur when the person is awake. It is defined as having an abnormally slow breathing rate. Ideally, an adult should be able to carry out 12-20 breaths per minute while at rest. A below-normal rate may be caused by opioid use and sedatives.
Some drugs disrupt signals that are relayed between the brain, nerves, and muscles. A hormonal imbalance brought on by thyroid problems can also slow down certain body functions including breathing. Bradypnea has also been linked to incidents of head injuries, lung diseases, and some nerve conditions like ALS.
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