Normal, healthy adults have an average resting breath rate of between 12 and 15 breaths per minute. For a 24-hour period, 15 breaths per minute equal 21,600 times the lungs receive air, process it and expel carbon dioxide. In healthy lungs, this process occurs with minimal awareness. For people with diseased or damaged airways, such as those with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, a collapsed lung or pulmonary edema, every breath can be a struggle.
Asthma
Asthma, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, is a chronic lung disease that manifests symptoms of wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. The airways become inflamed or swollen and cause a constriction of the amount of air that can reach the lungs. Irritated airways cause an excess production of mucus, and that exacerbates an asthma attack. Asthma is an incurable disease that affects about 22 million Americans. Things that may trigger an asthma attack include animal dander, mold and pollen allergens, chemical and cigarette smoke irritants, medications, viral respiratory infections and exercise.
Interstitial Lung Disease
Interstitial lung disease, or ILD, is a category of lung disorders that includes more than 180 chronic, non-cancerous or non-infectious disorders. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that more than 80 percent of ILDs are drug-induced. Inflammation of the small airways, air sacs and capillaries in the lungs causes the tissue between the lung air sacs to scar. Symptoms of ILD may include poor or no appetite, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, difficulty breathing, weakness and lung hemorrhaging. Treatments range from medications, such as corticosteroids, to lung transplant surgery.
Pneumothorax
A pneumothorax, or collapsed lung, occurs because of the buildup of air around the lungs, as reported by Medline Plus. The pressure of the air around the lungs limits the ability of the lungs to expand during inhalation. Causes of a pneumothorax include a fractured rib or any type of trauma to the chest, scuba diving and flying. The symptoms depend on the extent of the pneumothorax. Sharp chest pain and shortness of breath are among the first symptoms to appear. More severe symptoms include a rapid heart rate and lack of oxygen, which causes the skin to have a bluish tint. Treatment for a small pneumothorax includes removing the air from around the lung with a needle. A larger collapsed lung may require hospitalization and the placement of a chest tube to remove the excess air.
