Hyperventilation is a condition in which the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood decreases, in case of breathing deeply or quickly. It is often associated with panic attacks or anxiety-provoked situations. The hyperventilation is a vicious circle, because the panic increases the rate of breathing and hyperventilation may further fuel the panic.
Sometimes the phenomenon is fairly common and takes the contours of the so-called hyperventilation syndrome, a problem triggered by stress, anxiety, depression or anger. In this case the increase in breathing may be associated with other symptoms, such as confusion, chest pain, bloating, dry mouth, dizziness and weakness.
Finally, hyperventilation may be associated with taking certain medications (such as an aspirin overdose) or be the symptom of a disease, such as heart or lung disease, or the symptom of infections.
What diseases can be associated with hyperventilation?
The following diseases may be associated with hyperventilation:
- Metabolic acidosis
- Respiratory allergies
- Anxiety
- Asthma
- Panic attack
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Pulmonary embolism
- Bleeding
- Myocardial infarction
- Heart failure
- Pneumonia
- Sepsis
- Septic shock
Remember that this is not an exhaustive list and it is highly recommended to consult your doctor, in case of symptom’s persistence.
What is the therapy for hyperventilation?
After ascertaining the case of hyperventilation and deciding if is due to problems of anxiety, stress or panic, there are different strategies that can be used to deal with the problem. The main objective is to increase the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. Consequently the other symptoms that may be present will vanish. In case of hyperventilation the affected individual must try to calm down, or try to reduce the oxygen introduced in the lungs, for example, by breathing with the nose and mouth in a bag or breathing through one nostril, closing the mouth and other nostril.
Even breathing techniques, relaxation, regular physical activity and psychological therapy can help.
In some cases one may need to take medication for anxiety. The most suitable treatments for the condition will be presented, after a diagnosis of a doctor and discovering the main cause for hyperventilation.
When should you contact your doctor?
In case of hyperventilation, it is good to consult a doctor, especially if: it is the first time one deals with this kind of problem, it is associated with pain, fever, bleeding or other symptoms and is not corrected or tends to worsen. In such cases hyperventilation is a medical emergency and the emergency room should be visited.
