Hyperventilation
What is hyperventilation?
Hyperventilation means to over-breathe. When we breathe more than what our body needs we deplete carbon dioxide.
This breathing pattern can be in response to an acute situation, or it can become long term leading to a habitual pattern which chronically depletes the carbon dioxide levels and leads to an altered breathing pattern which may look like:
tension in the neck and chest during breathing
A rigid ribcage and shoulder movements
Frequent sighing and yawning
Irregular breathing
Gasping for breath
Dizziness
Numbness and tingling in hands and feet
Anxiety
Impairment of concentration and memory
Twitching muscles
Muscle spasms
Palpitations and irregular heart rhythm
Chest tightness
Dry mouth or tension around the lips
Fatigue
Of course these symptoms may point to other issues but with an in depth history and examination these can be professionally determined if an appropriate diagnosis for you might include a breathing pattern dysfunction.
The negative affects of hyperventilation
The loss of carbon dioxide has adverse physiological effects on the body.
Low levels of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate effects the bodies buffer system which effects the healthy maintenance of pH levels which can lead to the loss of calcium, magnesium and potassium in the urine.
Low carbon dioxide levels also effects blood flow, especially in the brain. Because of the low levels of carbon dioxide the ability to carry oxygen into the tissues is diminished which leads to irritability of nerves and contraction of smooth muscles.
Other metabolic affects include impaired enzyme activity and inefficient cellular metabolism.
Prevalence
Hyperventilation is common and occurs in 1 in 10 people.
Can effect up 70% of people with an anxiety disorder and there is greater incidence in people with a specific condition such as :
anxiety
Panic disorder
PTSD
Depression
Asthma
Nasal allergy and obstruction
Functional cardiac disorders
Fibromyalgia
Migraine
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic pain
Burnout / exhaustion
How is hyperventilation diagnosed?
An accurate diagnoses of hyperventilation syndrome is only possible with a medical instrument called a capnometer which measures the amount of carbon dioxide in the exhaled air.
Here at More Pathways it is part of our rigorous and validated measures to use capnometry in our breathing approach to find the true and root cause and develop an appropriate diagnosis.
What causes hyperventilation syndrome?
There are physiological and psychological reasons why people develop a hyperventilative pattern of breathing and this is why More Pathways studies the research across multiple fields to find appropriate ways of addressing the underlying causes and contributing factors. Some of the conditions that contribute include:
Stress
Trauma
Sympathetic overload
Anxiety and panic disorders
Asthma
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Mouth breathing
Obstructed airways early on in life
Chronic inflammation
Brain injury
How can we treat hyperventilation?
Through an integrative breathing program that is individualised we address breathing patterns and use breath retraining.
Research has shown that by resetting the brains breathing control mechanisms through dedicated and consistent practice, over time hyperventilation patterns can be changed.
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