How many breaths per minute to be in the norm?

Caution : You must consult your doctor for your health. This page presents only a personal and alternative point of view which should not be considered as an attempt to prescribe medicine.

Respiration is a natural mechanism in the body.

It ensures the supply of oxygen (O²) to the cells and also rids them of excess carbon dioxide (CO²).

But what you need to know is that the number of breaths per minute in an individual testifies to his state of health.

So what is the ideal breathing rate to be within the norm?

How to measure the number of breaths?

Let's take stock in this article.

The correct respiratory rate is managed automatically

Still called pulmonary ventilation, breathing is made up of two phases.

The first phase, inspiration, is the entry of air into the respiratory tract.

During inspiration, the diaphragm lowers so that air enters the lungs.

As it enters the nose, the air is cleaned, moistened and warmed.

After that, it passes into the trachea, then the bronchi, and finally into the alveoli of the lungs.

The second phase of breathing is exhalation.

It corresponds to the exit of air from the respiratory tract.

During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and returns to its normal position to force air out of the body.

This respiratory mechanism is automatic and requires no reflection.

Indeed, it is a reflex entirely controlled by your reptilian brain which is connected to many sensors in your body.

This respiratory process is therefore triggered by the effort required for inspiration.

Breathing is therefore an unconscious function which adapts to the needs of the organism according to the efforts.

In other words, at rest, you breathe less quickly, during a more or less intense effort, you breathe faster.

What is the normal respiratory rate?

The number of breaths per minute, also called respiratory rate, is the number of respiratory cycles (inhale / exhale) per unit of time.

A respiratory cycle is made up of an inhale and an exhale.

Frequency is measured per minute.

In children, the respiratory rate varies according to the age and weight of the child.

Thus, the normal respiratory rate:

• in children under one year is 40-60 / minute;
• in children between 1 and 8 years old is 20-30 / minute;
• in adults and adolescents over 12 years is 12-20 / minutes.

The number of breaths per minute may vary while the individual is sleeping.

During the phase of slow sleep, the respiratory rate is low.

On the other hand, during the paradoxical sleep phase, it is higher.

Also, during sleep, we can record breathing micro pauses.

This is a temporary cessation of pulmonary ventilation.

Respiratory pauses are short, infrequent and non-pathological.

However, if these pauses are too long and cause nocturnal anxiety, then we will speak of sleep apnea.

The number of breaths per minute also varies during physical exertion.

Indeed, during physical activity, a large amount of blood circulates in the organs and muscles, which creates a greater need for oxygen.

In response, pulmonary ventilation increases and consequently the respiratory rate is increased during physical exertion.

Why and how to check the number of breaths per minute?

The number of breaths per minute is measured at rest, avoiding a change in breathing rate.

We then observe the number of times that the diaphragm contracts and relaxes per minute.

If it is not easy to observe the movement of the diaphragm, then place a finger horizontally under the nose to feel the entry and exit of air.

Checking the number of breaths per minute lets you know if you are breathing normally.

This breath test provides information on your state of health.

So we can be on one of the following three ranges:

• quiet frequency: 12 / minutes and less;
• normal frequency: 12-20 / minutes;
• accelerated frequency: 20 / minutes and more.

This makes it possible to identify a possible pathology or anomaly in the individual.

Abnormalities relating to the number of breaths

Like pulse and blood pressure, respiratory rate is a vital indicator for humans.

A variation in the frequency can be a warning sign of a pathology.

Breathing abnormalities can be related to frequency, amplitude or rhythm.

Abnormality May Be Tachypnea | tachy- (rapid) and -pnea (breathing), that is to say an increase in the frequency, as for example in the chronic hyperventilation syndrome or even chronic obstructive bronchitis.

Otherwise, it may be a drop in frequency and we will speak of bradypnea | brady- (idle) and -pnea (ventilation).

And if breathing stops, it is an apnea.

In Yoga Pranayama, there are 2 types of apnea: antar Kumbhaka (full lung apnea) and Bahir Kumbhaka (empty lung apnea).

When the respiratory abnormality affects the amplitude, it may be too much amplitude.

In this case, it is polypnea (rapid and superficial / hyperventilation).

In the case of a low respiratory amplitude, we will speak of oligopnea (slow and superficial / hypoventilation).

In all these cases, we therefore observe irregular breathing rhythms, variations in amplitude, pauses in breathing, etc.

If in the short term, all these variations are not a problem, if these patterns become chronic, it inevitably turns into disease.

What is the norm for normal breathing? The test

In truth, no matter the rhythms and amplitudes, the goal is always to obtain good cellular oxygenation.

Let's not forget that the goal of breathing is to maintain a high level of oxygen in your billions of cells.

To find out if you are in the standard in terms of oxygenation: there are 2 tests to do.

The Buteyko test

Doctor Buteyko is a famous physiologist in Russia.

He has developed a breath test to determine your health.

In the morning, when you wake up, sit with your back straight, pinch your nose after exhaling and measure your apnea time until the first discomfort (physical or psychological).

A healthy individual should be able to hold their breath for 40 seconds.

Above you are a yogi, below your body is intoxicated.

The Barnes test

Dr. Barnes is a cardiologist specializing in metabolism and the thyroid.

He has developed a temperature test to determine the health of your metabolism.

With your hand waking up, take your temperature by placing the thermometer under your tongue.

The standard is between 36.5 and 36.8 degrees Celsius.

Below, your metabolism is too slow (hypothyroidism), above, your metabolism is too fast (hyperthyroidism).

Conclusion

These two alternative health tests are much more reliable in determining if your breathing is normal.

It doesn't matter how much breath you have each minute, it doesn't matter how much, how deep and how fast you are, as long as you score well on these 2 tests.

Read also :

Previous article : Cardiac Coherence : Benefits and Dangers?

Next article : How to improve your breath (cardio respiratory endurance)?