Homepage: Norms, rates, CP and body oxygenation
Why normal breathing is slow
Medical textbooks suggest that normal breathing frequency is only 12 breaths per minute. Older textbooks often provide even smaller values (e.g., 8-10 breaths per minute). Most modern people breathe much faster (about 15-20 breaths per minute) and this reduces body oxygenation. In sick people, especially during acute or terminal diseases states, breathing frequency is often higher than 20 breaths per minute. Generally, the faster one breathes, the less oxygen is provided for the cells and organs of the body. This law will be discussed in detail later.
* Note that you cannot define your own breathing frequency by simply counting it. As soon as you try it, your breathing will be more deep and slow. You can ask other people to count it, when you are unaware about your breathing, or you can record your breathing using sensitive microphones fixed near your nose at night or when you sit quietly and busy with some other activities. It is also possible to define own breathing frequency by asking other people to count the number of your breathing cycles during one minute when you are sleeping. (During sleep the respiratory frequency remains about the same as during wakeful states at rest, but the tidal volume or amplitude of breathing is reduced.)