What causes a person to take a deep breath?

With respect to some previous posters, and without intending to be argumentative, your deep breaths are not triggered by “low oxygen” or “low red blood cells”. Low blood oxygen levels are not what causes the brain to increase the rate and depth of breathing; rising levels of carbon dioxide,…

What causes an uncontrolled sharp intake of breath?

Basically I would be breathing normally and then suddenly take an uncontrolled sharp deep breath. I asked my cardiologist about this but he just said it was nothing to worry about. However it does seem to have got worse over time and sometimes when it’s a very deep breath I get a dull pain in my upper left back.

What should I do if I feel breathless after taking a deep breath?

Slowly exhale through pursed lips for 6-8 seconds. This should control the feeling of having to take deep breaths. However, some of the other symptoms of breathlessness, such as chest pain, may take a while to disappear. Make sure you see a doctor to rule out any heart or lung condition.

Is there such thing as an involuntary breath?

Breathing is partly voluntary and partly involuntary. We can increase our breathing rate as we desire. We can take deep or shallow breaths as we desire. Therein lies a BIG problem. The involuntary breathing takes over when we are asleep, deprived of oxygen (hypoventilation) or have excessive oxygen (hyperventilation).

Why do I have sudden involuntary deep breaths?

For several years I have had sudden, involuntary breaths maybe once or twice a day. They are sporadic. May last a week or month and then not recur again for some time. I have bronchiectasis and GERD .

Why do I feel like I need to take a deeper breath?

Although it is caused by too much oxygen, it makes you FEEL as though you are not getting enough oxygen. This leads to an overwhelming desire to get a deeper breath. Unfortunately, this tends to make it worse, because you’re still taking in more oxygen than you need.

When do I get a sudden intake of breath?

It only started a few weeks ago. I get it usually at night, when my breathing has become a little difficult. It’s totally involuntary, just suddenly happens, a little like a yawn but much more involuntary. It zips up through my chest from my diaphragm with a small shudder.

What foods make you take a deep breath?

I sometimes chop up a raw habanero pepper and add a portion of it to my food for breakfast, lunch and dinner . The heat from the pepper makes me breathe deeper and it helps…a lot. Note that if you add it to an oily or fatty food then you won’t feel as much heat and it won’t help as much.