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Hyperventilation is a condition in which a person suddenly begins to breathe too quickly and deeply. Hyperventilation usually takes the form of a panic attack, and therefore neurotic people most often struggle with it. However, sometimes hyperventilation can be a sign of lung or heart disease. What are the causes and how is hyperventilation treated?

Hyperventilationis the term for too fast breathing. The breath becomes much deeper and faster than normal - the patient takes more than 20 breaths per minute and exhales a lot of oxygen.

Increased air enters the alveoli, reducing the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood and leading to the development of respiratory alkalosis.

As a consequence, the body becomes hypoxic, which can make breathing even faster, causing a further decrease in the content of carbon monoxide in the blood.

Hyperventilation - symptoms

Symptoms of hyperventilation may appear during air travel, strenuous physical work, or during a stressful situation. Single bouts of hyperventilation are not always a cause for concern. Cyclical hyperventilation attacks should pay attention, as they may indicate numerous diseases, such as, for example, asthma, lung cancer or heart disease.

An attack of hyperventilation can last up to several hours, but generally lasts for 20-30 minutes.

An acute episode of hyperventilation causes tetany symptoms, such as paraesthesia: tingling, tickling or sensory disturbances in the limbs and the mouth area. In addition, there are muscle tremors, increased heart rate, dizziness and blurred vision. The sick person feels as if they are not getting enough air. Additionally, he or she may complain of chest pain, nausea, gas, gas, bloating, belching or abdominal pain. In some cases of acute episodes of hyperventilation, you may lose consciousness.

When hyperventilation develops into a chronic disease syndrome, the body is constantly under tension and the patient complains of headaches and dizziness, as well as visual disturbances and body tremors.

The neuromuscular symptoms are also accompanied by the above-mentioned paresthesia. In addition, the patient feels fatigue, has problems with concentration, memory impairment, feels lightheaded and struggles with visual disturbances.Sweats, cold hands and feet, and sometimes urge to urinate are also characteristic.

Respiratory symptoms such as yawning, coughing, irregular breathing or shortness of breath.

Aerophagy is also characteristic, i.e. swallowing the air. Functional disorders of the cardiovascular system may also appear in the course of hyperventilation. If it is psychogenic hyperventilation, the patient may experience nervousness, excitement, fear or crying, depression, and sleep disturbances.

Read also: Respiratory depression: causes, symptoms, treatment

Hyperventilation - causes

Hyperventilation may be a symptom of psychogenic disorders. Hyperventilation often takes the form of a panic attack, especially in people with neurosis.

Hyperventilation can also occur in he althy people in situations that cause great stress. Then the demand for energy increases, and hence - the demand for oxygen, which results in faster breathing. If stress lasts longer and you don't respond, you may hyperventilate.

In other people, this state may appear as a typical response to other emotional states, e.g. depression or anger.

Oxygen shock can also occur at high altitudes (e.g. when flying in an airplane), be caused by strenuous work, physical trauma, and a reaction to severe pain. Hyperventilation can also be a symptom of poisoning - e.g. with salicylates, i.e. overdosing on drugs based on salicylic acid (e.g. aspirin).

The cause of hyperventilation may also be lung diseases, e.g. asthma or infection, or heart dysfunctions, e.g. heart attack, pulmonary embolism.

Other possible causes of hyperventilation are: hypoxia, metabolic acidosis, high fever, hepatic coma, trauma to the skull or brain or encephalitis, degenerative changes in the central nervous system, motion sickness.

Hyperventilation may also appear in pregnancy, as a result of the mother's respiratory system adapting to a new state.

Read also: Breathing disorders: causes

Important
  • Acute(sudden)hyperventilationis usually caused by severe stress, anxiety, or emotional disturbance
  • Chronic hyperventilationis more often the result of a controlling lifestyle or depression, but it can also indicate heart problems, asthma, emphysema or lung cancer.

Hyperventilation - first aid and treatment

First aid in an attack of hyperventilation should consist of calming the patient to thishe could catch his breath. However, in a panic attack or anxiety, it is not always an easy task, so you should follow a few tips.

Panic during an attack of hyperventilation can make your breathing even more out of control. Therefore, first aid in hyperventilation should consist in trying to calm the patient so that he can breathe in and out calmly with his mouth closed.

In order to slow down the breathing rate of the patient, it is best to suggest that he or she breathes with us. Breathing through a paper bag or clasped hands may help. As a result, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the inhaled air will increase, which will not allow its concentration in the body to decrease too quickly and prevent loss of consciousness.

In such cases, calling an ambulance is usually not necessary. However, the patient should be instructed to see a doctor who, after finding the cause of hyperventilation, will suggest appropriate treatment.

Hyperventilation - prevention

Learning to reduce stress and breathing techniques (e.g. meditation, yoga) can help. Acupuncture can also be effective. This is a good solution for chronic hyperventilation. Regular exercise (walking, running, cycling, etc.) can also prevent hyperventilation.

A proper diet is also important, from which caffeine should be excluded (it is a stimulant). People who smoke cigarettes should quit their addiction.

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Category:

Respiratory system