Can the respiratory rate affect paradoxical breathing?
On One Hand: High breath rate affects breathing mechanicsParadoxical breathing occurs when the normal flow of breath reverses. Tight abdominal muscles restrict the movement of the diaphragm–the large, dome-shaped muscle that normally contracts to allow air to fill the lungs. The smaller and less efficient upper chest muscles then assume the role of expanding to create space for oxygen. Individuals with anxiety, which is characterized by high respiratory rates, often show this type of breathing.On the Other: Paradoxical breathing causes anxietyWhen the diaphragm can’t do its job, an insufficient amount of oxygen enters the body, and the brain triggers paradoxical breathing as a survival mechanism. The upper chest muscles, which should stay fixed, must now work to expand on inhalation to create enough space for oxygen to enter. Paradoxical breathing is highly inefficient because it requires more effort than diaphragmatic breathing to gather the same amount of air; this leads to an incre
