why the increased respirations

[prncsleo]

Hi,
I have IPF which was diagnosed by CT scan in Aug of this year.  I will be seing a specialist in Nov to confirm the diagnosis but we are pretty certain that it is.  My question would be,  what would be the reason that my respirations would be increased even when I don't feel any constrictions or tightening of my airways.  It's not incredibly high, about 30-35 resp. per minute.  I am currently taking prednisone 40 mg/day, advair, albuterol, combivent, singulair and diamox.  Could it be that I am not getting enough oxygen and my flow rate needs adjusted?  Just looking for some answers. Thanks

[National Jewish]

A respiratory rate of 30 to 35 per minute, at rest, is very high.  It could be a physiologic response to not getting enough oxygen.  It is more likely that it is your body's response to your lungs being stiffer than usual, as a result of the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).  When the lungs get stiff, it becomes more difficult to take a deep breath.  So the body may adjust to this by taking more frequent shallow breaths.  The first step, as you suggest, should be to have your blood oxygen level tested by your doctor.

[RTFLY]

The RN from the National Jewish Hospital that hosts this forum will have some answers for you. The National Jewish Hospital in Denver is a great referral center for IPF patients. Hope you find the answers you're looking for. Take care and be well...

                                            J.C.I. BS, RRT

[AndyRRT]

IPF is actually Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. The word idiopathic is a greek term that means "unusual" or unknown".

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a disease of inflammation that results in scarring or fibrosis of the lungs. In laymans terms, the lungs lose their elastic properties. Think of the lungs as a rubber band. They expand and contract with rebounding properties. The "rubberiness" of the lungs is what we call Lung Compliance. As lung compliance decreases, the lungs get a bit stiffer. They don't expand so easily anymore. Thus your breaths can be a tad more shallow. Now, to make up for that lost volume in minute to minute breathing, you will breath a bit faster to maintain the oppropriate oxygenation and ventilation your body needs to function.

As far as the course for IPF goes...it varies from patient to patient. It predominanty is a slow process that can last over many years. In its early stages, the alveoli (little air sacks in the lungs) get inflamed. Over a period of time, this infllmation becomes chronic and ultimately effects the alveoli by leaving reminant scarring. Scars as we know are a fibrotic tissue. When left in the alveoli, it effects how well the alveoli perfuses oxygen. as the fibrosis worsens, less and less oxygen is able to be absorbed by the lungs.

Hope this helps...

Andy, RRT, CPFT

[prncsleo]

PS:  I also have pulmonary hypertension.  Thanks