Topic Overview
Hyperventilation
is breathing that is deeper
and more rapid than normal. It causes a decrease in the amount of a gas in the
blood (called carbon dioxide, or CO2). This decrease may make you feel
lightheaded, have a rapid heartbeat, and be short of breath. It also can lead
to numbness or tingling in your hands or feet,
anxiety, fainting, and sore chest muscles.
Some causes of sudden hyperventilation include anxiety, fever, some
medicines, intense exercise, and emotional
stress. Hyperventilation also can occur because of
problems caused by asthma or emphysema or after a head injury. But it occurs
most often in people who are nervous or tense, breathe shallowly, and have
other medical conditions, such as lung diseases or
panic disorder. Women experience hyperventilation more
often than men. Most people who have problems with hyperventilation are 15 to 55 years old. Hyperventilation may occur when people travel to
elevations over 6000 ft (2000 m). Symptoms can be similar to symptoms that are caused by another,
more serious medical problem, such as a lung problem.
Acute (sudden)
hyperventilation is usually triggered by acute stress, anxiety, or emotional
upset. Chronic (recurring) hyperventilation may be an ongoing problem for
people with other diseases, such as asthma, emphysema, or lung cancer.
Many women have problems with hyperventilation during pregnancy, but it
usually goes away on its own after delivery.
In many cases,
hyperventilation can be controlled by learning proper breathing
techniques.
Symptoms of hyperventilation
Symptoms of
hyperventilation usually last 20 to 30 minutes and may include:
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or
tense.
- Frequent sighing or yawning.
- Feeling that you
can't get enough air (air hunger) or need to sit up to breathe.
- A
pounding and racing heartbeat.
- Problems with balance,
lightheadedness, or
vertigo.
- Numbness or tingling in the
hands, feet, or around the mouth.
- Chest tightness, fullness,
pressure, tenderness, or pain.
Other symptoms may occur less frequently, and you may not
realize they are directly related to hyperventilation. These symptoms can
include:
- Headache.
- Gas, bloating, or
burping.
- Twitching.
- Sweating.
- Vision
changes, such as blurred vision or tunnel vision.
- Problems with
concentration or memory.
-
Loss of consciousness
(fainting).
Hyperventilation is not a disease, but you may need to be
checked by your doctor if you have repeated episodes of hyperventilation
symptoms. If you have recurring symptoms, you might be diagnosed with a
condition called hyperventilation syndrome (HVS).
Treatment for
hyperventilation depends on the cause. Home treatment is usually all that is
needed for mild hyperventilation symptoms. Medical treatment may be needed for
hyperventilation symptoms that are moderate to severe, that last for long
periods of time, that come back, or that
interfere with your daily activities. Medical
treatment usually includes reassurance, stress reduction measures, breathing
lessons, or medicine.
Check your symptoms to decide
if and when you should see a doctor.
Check Your Symptoms
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Home Treatment
Home treatment may help you control
your breathing and stop
hyperventilation. First, sit down and concentrate on
your breathing.
Breathing techniques
- Breathe through pursed lips, as if you are
whistling, or pinch one nostril and breathe through your nose. It is harder to
hyperventilate when you breathe through your nose or pursed lips, because you
can't move as much air.
- Slow your breathing to 1 breath every 5
seconds, or slow enough that symptoms gradually go away.
- Try
belly-breathing, which fills your lungs fully, slows your breathing rate, and
helps you relax.
- Place one hand on your belly just below the
ribs. Place the other hand on your chest. You can do this while standing, but
it may be more comfortable while you are lying on the floor with your knees
bent.
- Take a deep breath through your nose. As you inhale, let
your belly push your hand out. Keep your chest still.
- As you exhale
through pursed lips, feel your hand go down. Use the hand on your belly to help
you push all the air out. Take your time exhaling.
- Repeat these
steps 3 to 10 times. Take your time with each breath.
Always try measures to control your breathing or
belly-breathe first. If these techniques don't work and you don't have other
health problems, you might try breathing in and out of a paper bag that covers
your nose and mouth.
Using a paper bag
-
Use a paper bag
to control your breathing. Take 6 to 12 easy, natural breaths, with a
small paper bag held over your mouth and nose. Then remove the bag from your
nose and mouth and take easy, natural breaths.
- Next, try
belly-breathing (diaphragmatic breathing).
- Alternate these
techniques until your hyperventilation stops.
If hyperventilation continues for longer than 30 minutes,
call your doctor immediately.
Do not use a paper bag if:
Follow these precautions when using
the bag method:
- Do not use a plastic bag.
- Do not
breathe continuously into a paper bag. Take 6 to 12 natural breaths, with a
paper bag held over your mouth and nose, then remove the bag from your nose and
mouth.
- Do not hold the bag for the person who is hyperventilating.
Allow the person to hold the bag over his or her own mouth and nose.
Symptoms to watch for during home treatment
Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home
treatment:
- Symptoms do not improve with home treatment
measures.
- Symptoms become more severe or frequent.
Prevention
You may be able to avoid
hyperventilation:
- Breathe through your nose. It is harder to
hyperventilate when your mouth is closed, because you can't move as much air
through your nose.
- Loosen your clothing. Tight belts and
waistbands, girdles, bras, and skintight jeans can all restrict breathing and
cause shallow, upper-chest breathing.
- Learn
belly-breathing (diaphragmatic breathing) techniques,
and practice them when you are not hyperventilating so that you can use the
techniques when you need them. People who hyperventilate usually take shallow
breaths, filling only their upper chest when they inhale.
- Try
different relaxation techniques and see what works best for you. For more
information, see the topic
Stress Management.
- Talk to friends, family
members, or a counselor to help you relieve anxiety. Keep a journal to help you
focus on your problems and find workable solutions.
- Eat a healthy
mix of foods. Watch out for caffeine: drink less coffee, tea, and soda, and do
not eat as much chocolate. For more information, see the topic
Healthy Eating.
- Exercise. Regular aerobic
exercise forces you to take full breaths and helps you to reduce anxiety that
contributes to hyperventilation. For more information, see the topic
Fitness.
- Make sure you get a good night's
sleep. Being rested may help reduce daytime anxiety. For more information, see
the topic
Sleep Problems, Age 12 and Older.
- Practice healthy thinking and stop negative thoughts.
Preparing For Your Appointment
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
You can help your
doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the
following questions:
- What are your main symptoms? How long have you
had your symptoms? What was happening in your life when your symptoms
began?
- Have you had this problem before? If so, do you know what
caused the problem at that time? How was it treated?
- What
activities make your symptoms better or worse?
- Do you think that
sports activities or activities related to your job or hobbies caused your
symptoms? Have you recently changed jobs, been laid off, or been fired?
- Do you have a lot of stress in your life? Have you recently had a
change in your family, such as a divorce or death of a loved
one?
- Has anyone else in your family ever had problems with
hyperventilation or been diagnosed with an
anxiety disorder or
depression?
- What home treatment measures
have you tried? Did they help?
- What nonprescription medicines have
you tried? Did they help?
- What prescription and nonprescription
medicines do you take?
- Do you smoke or use other tobacco
products?
- Are you using alcohol or illegal drugs, such as marijuana
or cocaine, to help manage your symptoms?
- Do you have any
health risks?
While waiting for your appointment, it may be helpful to keep
a
diary of your symptoms(What is a PDF document?).
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
David Messenger, MD |
|
Last Revised
|
September 19, 2012 |