If you suffer from hyperventilation, you breathe deeper and more rapidly than normal. This decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in your blood. Hence, it can lead you to feel shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and rapid heartbeat.
Medically reviewed by Jezreel Esguerra, MD · General Practitioner
If you suffer from hyperventilation, you breathe deeper and more rapidly than normal. This decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in your blood. Hence, it can lead you to feel shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and rapid heartbeat.
Hyperventilation is a term most commonly used if you have rapid or fast deep breathing and over-breathing. And its causes include emotional stress, anxiety, some medicines, fever, and intense exercises. You may experience this condition due to an asthma attack, emphysema, or head injury. Most commonly, this condition is seen in people who breathe shallowly, have any health conditions, or are tense and nervous.
People who are at risk of developing this condition are individuals between 15 and 55 years of age. Interestingly, women experience this condition more often compared to men.
You may suffer from either acute hyperventilation or chronic (recurring) hyperventilation. Acute hyperventilation is usually caused by acute stress or emotional upset. Meanwhile, chronic hyperventilation may be an ongoing issue for you if you have health conditions like lung cancer, asthma, or emphysema.
Many women experience this condition during their pregnancy, but it usually goes away after delivery.
You may experience hyperventilation when you have little carbon dioxide in your blood. In many cases, you may not be aware of it but sometimes experience the symptoms related to it. You may experience the following symptoms when the CO2 levels in your blood reduce due to hyperventilation:
You may experience serious symptoms from this condition. And when you do, get medical help immediately. Some of the serious symptoms include:
Ensure you get medical help immediately as hyperventilation can be life-threatening.
You may have medical or emotional factors that can cause hyperventilation, such as:
There are several factors that increase the risk of having an episode of hyperventilation. However, you must know that not all people with these following factors will get experience it:
When you experience the symptoms of hyperventilation, you must visit your doctor’s clinic immediately. Ensure you are not starting any medication or remedy without consulting your doctor.
In your doctor’s clinic, your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask questions related to your health, symptoms you experience and overall lifestyle.
Your doctor may also check your breathing. If your doctor does not see its symptoms, your doctor might try causing hyperventilation by telling you to breathe in a certain way. Your doctor will then watch how you breathe and check which muscles you are using when breathing.
To rule out this condition, your doctor may recommend the following tests:
Your doctor may recommend treatment depending on your hyperventilation test results. Based on your condition, they may plan a treatment option such as the following:
It may take approximately six to eight weeks to change an established pattern from dysfunctional breathing back to normal. Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend breathing exercises such as pursed-lip breathing. In this, you will be asked to hold your breath for short periods. This exercise can help slow down your breathing.
Your doctor may also suggest acupuncture to effectively treat hyperventilation syndrome. In acupuncture, the expert inserts thin needles in certain areas of your body, commonly called as acupoints. This can help reduce anxiety and severity of hyperventilation.
Ensure you follow the treatment suggested by your doctor. And in case you feel the treatment is not helping in resolving the condition, contact your doctor immediately.
Your doctor may suggest a few lifestyle changes for hyperventilation such as:
Remember, these tips and techniques may help you to slow down your fast breathing and bring them back to normal. But if these tips and techniques do not help you, inform your doctor immediately.
It is important that you consult your doctor before using these above-mentioned techniques and tips to treat hyperventilation.
Learn more about Respiratory Issues here.
Disclaimer
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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