What are respirations?
Respiration happens when you breathe air in and out. It allows oxygen to enter your body and carbon dioxide to go out. As you inhale (breathe in) your chest cavity (space) expands, making your chest bigger. Your chest cavity gets smaller in size as you exhale (breathe out). The number of times you breathe in and out in one minute is called your respiratory or breathing rate. Most people breathe in and out 12 to 20 times in a minute. Why may a person need his respirations counted? Respirations (breaths) may need to be counted because of an illness, such as a lung or heart disease. A person’s breathing rate may show how his body is doing. A change in a person’s breathing rate may be an early warning sign that his condition is getting worse. Breaths may also be counted when taking certain medicines. How does one check a person’s respirations? • How to watch respirations: When a person’s breathing is being checked, he should sit upright if possible. It is also better if he is checked under
