It is only when a person cannot breathe that they become acutely aware of the function of breathing. Although a person can consciously alter the rate and depth of breathing, the actual control center is in the lower part of the brain stem. Nerve centers throughout the body send information to the brain regarding the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood. The respiratory center in turn regulates the depth and rate of breathing. Problems related to having trouble breathing almost always stem from the imbalance of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Anxiety or Stress
Hyperventilation or abnormally deep or rapid, shallow breathing, is especially common during times of anxiety, panic or stress. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, hyperventilating causes too much carbon dioxide to be lost from the bloodstream, reducing the acid content of the blood. The person experiences difficulty breathing, lightheadedness, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, and around the lips. Someone who is hyperventilating feels as though they are not getting enough air, so they breathe even faster, which makes the condition worse.
Altitude Sickness
At high altitudes, the concentration of oxygen is lower than at sea level. With less oxygen in the air, there is less oxygen available to pass from the lungs to the blood, which can starve cells and body tissue. According to Princeton University's Outdoor Action Program, symptoms of oxygen deficiency due to acute mountain sickness or altitude sickness occur when ascending rapidly to altitudes above 8,000 feet. Symptoms include breathlessness, rapid pulse, fatigue, headache, nausea, and disturbed thought and vision patterns. Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when the body lacks enough insulin to break down the sugar or glucose to meet the body's needs. Instead, the body uses fat as its fuel source, which leaves byproducts called ketones. These ketones build up in the blood and urine, leading to ketoacidosis. Problems related to ketoacidosis include deep, labored and rapid breathing as well as nausea, vomiting and stomach pain.
Stridor
Noisy, high-pitched breathing that becomes worse when a person inhales is known as stridor. This condition occurs when an obstruction blocks a large airway. According to MedlinePlus, in children, stridor can result from a bacterial infection of the epiglottis---the flap of cartilage that prevents food and liquid from entering the windpipe. An inhaled object, croup, laryngitis and smoke inhalation may also cause stridor. Whatever the cause, it is often terrifying, particularly to a child, causing the child to hyperventilate, making the symptoms worse.
