From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Shallow breathing, thoracic
breathing, or chest breathing is the
drawing of minimal breath into the lungs, usually by drawing air
into the chest area using the intercostal
muscles rather than throughout the lungs via the diaphragm. Shallow breathing can result in
or be symptomatic of rapid breathing and hyperventilation. Most
people who breath shallowly do it throughout the day and are almost
always unaware of the condition.

In upper lobar breathing, clavicular
breathing or clavicle breathing air is
drawn predominantly into the chest by the raising of the shoulders
and collarbone (clavicles), and simultaneous contracting of the
abdomen during inhalation.[1] Maximum
amount of air can be drawn this way only for short periods of time,
since it requires a lot of effort. When used for prolonged time,
this is the most superficial mode of shallow breathing.

Shallow breathing, also known medically as hypopnea, may result in hypoventilation
which could cause a build up of carbon dioxide in an individual's body,
a symptom known as hypercapnia. It's a condition related to
neuro-muscular disorders - NMDs - that include ALS, Muscular
Dystrophy, Polio, Post-Polio Syndrome, and other NMDs affecting the
neuro-muscular system. It is a serious condition if not diagnosed
properly, or if it's ignored. It is often treated as a "sleep
disorder" after a sleep study performed, but "...sleep studies
cannot diagnose shallow breathing (JR Bach, M.D.)." Serious
symptoms arise most commonly during sleep; however, because when
the body sleeps, the intercostal muscles do not perform the
breathing for mechanism, it's done by the diaphragm, which is often
impaired in people with NMDs.

Very often, after a sleep study, when someone's been
unsuccessfully using a CPAP or BIPAP, they are prescribed nasal
oxygen at night--that should never be used without clear evidence
of oxygen level at or below 94%; the non-judicious use of oxygen
(which is a prescribed drug) may cause brain damage.

The test to determine shallow breathing as such is simple, and
can be carried out at the bedside by a knowledgeable state licensed
respiratory therapist (ref: www.aarc.org).

One of the foremost pioneers on this condition was Dr.
Oppenheimer, who died recently in California (http://www.aarc.org/headlines/dr_oppenheimer.cfm).
His writings are definitive, and extend to the few caring, astute
non-profits that are trying to save the lives of those with
NMD-related breathing impairment. Project Blue Whale is now taking
breathing conditions worldwide to increase awareness and early
detection, with advocacy.