What is it about ?
Breathing is a natural mechanism for us. We breathe in oxygen (O2) and breathe out carbon dioxide (CO2). Breathing adapts to what we are doing, breathing calmly at rest and during sleep, and rapid breathing on exertion. In this way, there is always a balance between O2 and CO2 in the blood. This balance is necessary to maintain the correct level of acidity in the blood.
It happens that our breathing is disturbed, often without realizing it. We naturally breathe faster and less deeply. Therefore, we let too much O2 enter our body, and we especially release too much CO2. As a result, the acidity level in the blood changes and this can cause all kinds of symptoms.
Hyperventilation can be quite normal, for example at the end of an intense effort. A runner who reaches the finish line after an intensive hyperventile final sprint. However, there can also be both a psychological and a physical cause. Stress is often at the root of this mechanism. We breathe then as in the case of intense effort, while we are not making any effort. Lung, heart and brain conditions can also cause hyperventilation.
The notion of hyperventilation syndrome refers to all the symptoms that may occur during hyperventilation of psychological origin. Hyperventilation is usually a chronic condition. In 10% of cases, it occurs in crises.
How to recognize it?
In case of hyperventilation, you have a feeling of suffocation. Often you will experience a throbbing pain, a feeling of tightness on the left side of the chest, and your heart rate quickens. So some people think they are having a heart attack. Dizziness, sweating, feeling of fainting, weakness, tremors, clumsiness, tingling in the face, hands and feet, muscle cramps, but also problems concentrating, feelings of anxiety , panic and depersonalization can occur.
How is the diagnosis made?
Your doctor will ask you a variety of questions. Then he will perform a clinical examination. If he suspects an underlying physical disorder and needs more information, he will do a blood test and an EKG, and possibly send you for an x-ray of the heart and lungs.
What can you do ?
Hyperventilation is absolutely not dangerous. However, it is important to be able to identify it. If it recurs, you can examine for yourself whether there is a cause for your disorder, for example tension at home, at school or at work. It is also good to know in which situations the symptoms occur. How to recognize it?
There are things you can do to prevent or even stop anxiety and tension symptoms:
When you have a seizure or feel it coming, try to continue to breathe calmly. Try to stop breathing with your rib cage and breathe through your stomach. Hold your hands on your stomach. With each breath, you feel your belly swell and deflate. Take for example 3 seconds to inhale and 3 to exhale. If the results are not optimal, the physiotherapist can teach you techniques to breathe properly.
Sometimes distraction comes in handy. For example, doing exercises like bending your knees or reading aloud during a seizure.
Find out why certain situations generate tension. Write them down and discuss them possibly with a doctor or psychologist. You may not be aware of your anxiety or tension, but show symptoms.
Sometimes breathing in a paper or plastic bag is helpful. In doing so, you breathe in the CO2 that you breathe out yourself.
What can your doctor do?
If there is a physical cause for the hyperventilation, your doctor will treat it. If it is a psychological cause, your doctor will try to reassure you by explaining to you the harmless nature of the matter. Hyperventilation without an underlying physical cause is in no way dangerous!
If necessary, diazepam, a sedative that also acts as a muscle relaxant, is given as a tablet or as a solution.
Sometimes psychological assistance is requested.
Want to know more?
- Diazepam – CBIP – Belgian Center for Pharmacotherapeutic Information
- Sleeping pills and sedatives, think before consuming – FAMHP – Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products
Are you looking for more specialized help?