Taking your respiratory rate is relatively easy, because all you need to do is count the number of breaths you take.
Respiration rate refers to the number of breaths a person takes per minute. Respiratory rate should be measured when the person is at rest, i.e. as they are sitting up in a chair or lying in bed.
Here are the steps to get an accurate measurement:
Sit Down and Try to Relax.
Watch as a person's chest rises and falls
*Note: One complete breath comprises one inhalation (when chest rises) and one exhalation (when chest falls).
3. Count the number of breaths for 60 seconds ( or 30 seconds and multiply by 2) to get the breaths per minute
NORMAL RESPIRATION RATE:
Adults (age 18 and over): 12 - 20 Breaths per Minute
Children
birth to 1 year: 30 - 60 Breathes per Minute
1 to 3 years: 24 - 40 Breathes per Minute
3 to 6 years: 22 - 34 Breathes per Minute
6 to 12 years: 18 - 30 Breathes per Minute
12 to 18 years: 12 - 16 Breathes per Minute
For further understanding of how to take your respiration rate, you can check out this video:
Implications for Respiration Rate
High or low respiratory can be due to activity, like exercise, and it does not necessarily indicate something is wrong.
There are times, however, when changes in respiratory rate is caused by diseases, injuries, and various substances. In a medical setting, abnormal respiratory rate, especially if too fast, can indicate a health problem.
Causes of High Respiratory Rate include:
Anxiety
Fever
Respiratory Diseases
Heart Problems
Dehydration
Causes of Low Respiratory Rate include:
Drug Overdose
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Head Injury
A small deviation from normal respiratory rate does not necessarily need to be an area of concern. However, if your respiratory rate is very high or very low, and one experiences symptoms of fever, fatigue, or sore throat, it is best to go see a doctor.
Seek immediate assistance if any of the following is present:
chest pain
bluish skin
gurgling sounds during breathing
breathing very few breaths per minute
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