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Hyperventilation Syndrome - Hyperventilation Syndrome Symptom, Cause, Treatment
Hyperventilation Syndrome is almost always a disease of young adults. Hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) is an episodic disorder that often presents with chest pain and a tingling sensation of the fingertips (paresthesia) and around the mouth, as well as deep and labored breathing (causing hyperventilation), although chronic but subtle hyperventilation can cause these symptoms too. Hyperventilation is breathing in excess of what the body needs. This is sometimes called overbreathing. Rapid or deep breathing is sometimes seen in very serious conditions such as infection, bleeding, or heart attack.
Symptoms of Hyperventilation Syndrome
The sudden form comes on rapidly and has more intense symptoms. People with this syndrome may have stomach, chest, nervous system, and emotional complaints. Hyperventilation Syndrome is the presence of vague dizziness accompanied by a lot of other seemingly unrelated symptoms, which might include any of the following:
- cold, tingling, or numb lips or extremities
- nausea or irritable bowel syndrome
- sexual problems
- anxiety or phobias
- fear that perhaps you're a hypochondriac
- dry mouth
- shortness of breath for no apparent reason
- frequent sighing or yawning
- chest pains
- heart palpitations
- sweating
- syncope (fainting)
- dizziness
- trembling
- slurred speech
- pressure in throat or difficulty swallowing
- bloating, belching, flatulence, or abdominal pain
- impaired memory or concentration
- confusion / disorientation
- tinnitis (ringing in ears)
- aching muscles or joints, or tremors
- tiredness, unsteadiness, or diffuse weakness
- restless sleep, insomnia, or nightmares
- headaches
- blurred vision, tunnel vision, double vision, or flashing lights
- tachycardia (rapid pulse)
- depression
- erratic blood pressure
Causes of Hyperventilation Syndrome
This syndrome is almost always a disease of both young girls and young boys.. The hyperventilation is self-promulgating as carbon dioxide (CO2) levels fall and respiratory alkalosis (high blood pH) develop. The respiratory alkalosis leads to changes in the way the nervous system fires and leads to the paresthesiae, dizziness and perceptual changes that often accompany this condition. HVS can be part of a panic attack but, despite all the stigma, most patients are not putting on a show but are in true distress.
- Chronic mouth-breathers are particularly prone, as are people with asthma.
- Anaemia (not enough red oxygen carrying cells in the blood) stimulates breathing rates.
- Hormonal triggers. CO2 levels drop by up to 25% post ovulation, during pregnancy, and menopause.
- Especially at risk are people who push themselves too hard at work, study, or sport. Or simply burn the candle at both ends.
- For some HVS is an occupational hazard if their jobs involve a lot of speaking. (Actors, lawyers, telephonists).
- Dusty or noisy workplaces.
- HVS is the body's way of signaling distress, and there are many triggers, involving physical, emotional and environmental factors:
- Poor posture or ergonomics at work and resulting Occupational Overuse Syndrome are common triggers.
Treatment of Hyperventilation Syndrome
Carbon dioxide usually requires five to fifteen minutes with a small paper bag held loosely over both the nose and the mouth. Structured plan of attack - in breathing retraining, upper respiratory health assessment , postural and upper chest musculo-skeletal balancing , stress recognition, physical coping strategies, sleep hygiene and a graduated fitness regimen/lifestyle appraisal. Medication such as anti-anxiolytics/muscle relaxants if indicated. The treatment for hyperventilation is simple. All you need to do is rebreathe carbon dioxide to get your body's oxygen/carbon dioxide balance back to normal. You can do this by closing your mouth and breathing slowly through your nose. Or for faster results, hold a paper bag tightly around your mouth and breathe in and out several times into the bag until you feel better. The treatment of Hyperventilation Syndrome are includes home care and medical care.
- If you have been diagnosed with hyperventilation syndrome, you may briefly try certain breathing and relaxation exercises that your doctor has already taught you. This may work to stop an attack.
- Breathing into a paper bag is no longer recommended.
- Once the doctor is sure that your diagnosis is hyperventilation syndrome and not something more serious, the doctor will arrange follow-up care with a psychiatrist or your primary care doctor.
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