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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Tachypnea

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Overview

Tachypnea (or “tachypnoea”) (Greek: “rapid breathing”) is characterized by rapid breathing and is not identical with hyperventilation – tachypnea may be necessary for a sufficient gas-exchange of the body, for example after exercise, in which case it is not hyperventilation.

References

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology

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References

Causes

Causes

Overview

Causes

Common Causes

Causes by Organ System

Cardiovascular No underlying causes
Chemical/Poisoning No underlying causes
Dental No underlying causes
Dermatologic No underlying causes
Drug Side Effect Interferon gamma
Ear Nose Throat No underlying causes
Endocrine No underlying causes
Environmental No underlying causes
Gastroenterologic No underlying causes
Genetic No underlying causes
Hematologic No underlying causes
Iatrogenic No underlying causes
Infectious Disease No underlying causes
Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic No underlying causes
Neurologic No underlying causes
Nutritional/Metabolic No underlying causes
Obstetric/Gynecologic No underlying causes
Oncologic No underlying causes
Ophthalmologic No underlying causes
Overdose/Toxicity No underlying causes
Psychiatric No underlying causes
Pulmonary No underlying causes
Renal/Electrolyte No underlying causes
Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy No underlying causes
Sexual No underlying causes
Trauma No underlying causes
Urologic No underlying causes
Miscellaneous No underlying causes

Causes in Alphabetical Order

References

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Differential Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis

Organ system Diseases Clinical manifestations Diagnosis Other features
Symptoms Physical exam
Chest pain Dyspnea Fever Palpitations Cyanosis Tachypnea JVD Peripheral edema Auscultation ABGs Lab findings Imaging PFT Gold standard
Pulmonary system Pneumothorax + + + + + + _ _
  • Decreased breath sounds
 X- ray –
  • Mediastinal shift
  • Deep sulcus sign
  • Hydropneumothorax
  • CT-scan- Bullae
 CT-scan
  • Hypoxia,
  • Hypercapnia
  • Hyperesonance to percussion,
  • Vocal resonance
  • Tactile fremitus decreased
Pulmonary embolism + + + + + +
Pneumonia + + + + + + – –
  • Bronchial breath sounds
  • Crepitations
  • Bronchophony
  • Egophony
  • Whispering pectoroloqy
  • CBC
  • Blood culture
  • Mantoux test
  • Serology (mycoplasma, viruses)
  • Sputum: Gram stain and culture
  • CXR- Lobar consolidation, Air bronchogram;
  • Atypical pneumonia: Diffuse interstitial infiltrates
Exacerbation of asthma/COPD – + – + + + – –
  • Decreased breath sounds
  • Wheezing
  • Coarse crackles
  • Increased PaCo2
  • Decreased PaO2
  • CBC- Increased hematocrit from chronic hypoxia
  • Sputum evaluation, BNP( to rule out heart failure)
  • X- ray:
  • Hyperinflated lungs
  • Flattening of the diaphragm
  • Narrow heart shadow
  • Cardiomegaly
  • Increased TLC
  • Increased RV
  • Decreased Vital capacity
  • Decreased DLco ( Emphysema)
  • Normal DLco ( Chronic bronchitis)
  • HRCT ( High resolution computed tomography of the lung)
  • Productive cough
  • Exercise intolerance
  • Altered mental status
  • Cor-pulmonale
  • Hyperresonance on percussion
Interstitial lung disease + + -/+ + + + -/+ –
  • Fine crackles
  • Loud P2
  • Increased A-a gradient
  • Decreased PaO2
  • Increased PaCo2
  • Chest X-ray- Reticular infiltrates
  • Honey combing
  • FEV1 decreased
  • FVC decreased
  • TLC decreased
  • RV decreased
  • DLco decreased
  • FEV1/FVC normal
  • HRCT -more accurate than chest xray
  • Most accurate test is lung biopsy
  • Physical examination shows clubbing
  • Decreased pulmonary compliance
Intrapulmonary shunt
Upper airway obstruction -/+ + – -/+ -/+ + -/+ – Inspiratory stridor
  • Increased PaCo2
  • Decreased PaO2
  • Plain radiograph of the neck
  • Steeple sign (Croup in pediatric population)
  • CT
  • MRI
 Decreased vital capacity
  • HRCT
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Hoarseness
  • Accessory muscle use during respiration
  • Chest retractions
High altitude sickness – + +/- + +/- + – +
  • Crackles
  • Respiratory alkalosis
  • CBC
  • EKG- Right sided heart strain
  • CXR- Bilateral patchy infiltrates
  • Brain Ct scan
Cardiovascular system Acute coronary syndrome + + – +/- +/- +/- +/- +/-
  • S3
  • Systolic murmur
  • Rales
  • Cardiac enzymes
  • EKG
  • CBC
  • BNP
  • Chest radiograph:
  • Cardiomegaly
  • Pulmonary edema
  • Echo cardiography
  • Myocardial perfusion imaging
  • Cardiac angiography
Heart failure
Dysrhythmias
Shock
Metabolic/Systemic disorders Diabetic ketoacidosis
Hypocalcemia
Hypoglycemia
Endocrine system Hyperthyroidism
Pheochromocytoma
CNS Central nervous system tumor
Anxiety/panic attacks
Others Pregnancy
Hepatic failure
Sepsis

References

Epidemiology and Demographics

Epidemiology and Demographics

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References

Risk Factors

Risk Factors

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References

Natural history, Complications, and Prognosis

Natural history, Complications, and Prognosis

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References

Diagnosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Chest X Ray | CT | Echocardiography | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Treatment

Medical Therapy | Surgery | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies

Related Chapters

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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