Irregular respiration

An abnormal, unstable breathing pattern characterized by fluctuating respiratory rate (dyspnea, tachypnea, bradypnea, apnea) and tidal volume (Cheyne-Stokes Respiration), with inconsistent rhythm and variable depth of breaths, often reflecting disrupted respiratory drive or impaired neuromuscular or cardiopulmonary control. Possible causes are pulmonary disease (asthma, COPD, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism), heart conditions (heart failure, arrhytmia, anemia), neurological factors (sleep apnea, chest trauma, ALS, Guillain-Barré syndrome), and psychiatric factors (anxiety and panic attack often lead to hyperventilation).