Hyperventilation Symptoms

Hyperventilation is generally referred as over breathing, or breathing too deeply and rapidly. The result of such over breathing is a drop in the level of carbon dioxide, and increase in the oxygen level in the body. It is often found to accompany panic attack, and its symptoms are also found to closely resemble the symptoms, produced by panic attack. Hyperventilation syndrome is the name of the respiratory disorder, which involves rapid breathing, and is triggered by some psychological and physiological factors.

Hyperventilation Causes

The factors that are mostly found to trigger over breathing are stress or anxiety, strokes, heart attacks and panic attack. Injury to the head, lung diseases, infections like pneumonia and sepsis can also cause it. Sometimes, metabolic acidosis can also trigger hyperventilation. In metabolic acidosis, the acidity of the blood increases. In such a situation, it is used as a mechanism to increase the level of oxygen in the body, and thereby, lower the acidity of blood. Lastly, overexertion or exercising excessively can also result in hyperventilation.

Hyperventilation Signs

This condition causes the level of carbon dioxide in the body to fall below the normal range, and the level of oxygen to rise. A drop in the level of carbon dioxide in the body changes the pH of the blood, and makes it more alkaline. This causes constriction of the blood vessels, that supply blood and oxygen to the vital organs like brain. This reduces oxygen supply to the vital organs and tissues, and produces the feeling of lack of oxygen or air in the body, and other symptoms.

• Rapid and deep breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Dryness of the mouth
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Palpitation
• Weakness
• Muscle spasms, especially in the hands and feet
• Tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Fainting
• Bloating
• Tense feeling and anxiety

Treatment for Hyperventilation

For proper treatment, determining the underlying condition is very important. For temporary relief, one should practice controlling his or her breath. By slowing down the rate of breathing, one can bring the level carbon dioxide and oxygen to the normal range. This can reduce the symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness and palpitation. Many physicians also suggest paper bag re-breathing method to control its symptoms. Re-breathing the exhaled air helps to increase the carbon dioxide rapidly. But, this method is not meant to be used for a long time, as it can lead to inhalation of too much carbon dioxide, which can be counterproductive.

Sometimes, anxiety medications are given in order to calm the mind of the affected individual, and reduce the rate of breathing. This however, could not treat the underlying causes. Therefore, changing the breathing pattern is a better option for the long-term management of the condition. For this, one can take the help of exercises, especially breathing and relaxation exercises. This will help to control irregular breathing pattern, and reduce the incidence of hyperventilation in the future. Such a step will also help to control some of the factors like stress and anxiety that are found to be associated with both hyperventilation and panic attack.

However, along with these preventive measures, be sure to talk to your physician to determine its exact causes, and the associated complications. A detailed discussion with your physician regarding the causes and symptoms of the condition, would give you a better understanding about this condition.