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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Hyperventilation (or something)
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Hyperventilation (or something)
by Itsme, Nov 09, 2001 12:00AM
As an introduction, I am only 18 years old and seem to be suffering from hyperventilation. My breathing is uneasy sometimes and getting a full breath can be difficult. Getting to sleep is also not easy as sometimes I seem to stop breathing when I drift off and wake back up instantly, requiring breath. Although the latter is more related to sleep apnea I have done some research and the only condition I found which matched how I felt was the description of hyperventilation. Today was my worst 'session' ever, my breathing felt uneasy and all of a sudden I felt slightly dizzy and my fingers were tingling!! At 18, not 65!! Apparently, hyperventilation can be caused by long term inefficient breathing and can be corrected by using 'proper' breathing techniques. Please could you advise me as to where I could obtain information about such techniques. This is proving to be a most uncomfortable period of my life. I have recently moved to University but I do not feel any anxiety or panic in my general life, totally relaxed yet I still seem to get these stress related symptoms (which when they happen DO cause me to panic). My intake of caffeine has increased exponentially however, thanks to the cheapness of coke here, could that be related? I have stopped now as I think it might be. Thank you very much for your time. I look forward to a professional response :)
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Dec 04, 2001 12:00AM
, Dec 04, 2001 12:00AM
Hyperventilation is a symptom not a syndrome. This means that the same problem can have many different causes including a variety of brain and respiratory problems that can need more specific treatment than “breathing” exercises. Accordingly, be sure to talk this over with your doctor, or if you are an out-of-town student, be sure to talk with the doctor at your student health center. Having said this, usually hyperventilation is related to a disorder we call “Panic Disorder.” This unfortunately is a very bad name, as people who suffer from it do not always experience panic-type feelings. In fact, we think that it is a disorder of the very deep part of your brain that regulates your breathing. This leads to frightening, but not harmful “suffocation false alarms,” in some people triggering feelings of panic, but in others just leading to intense feelings of “smothering” with all the associated body symptoms, including numbness and “pins-and-needles” tingling of hand, fingers and lips. Excessive caffeine can certainly make things worse and you are right to cut back. The breathing exercises for hyperventilation are designed to have you breathe slowly, regularly, gently, and smoothly. Always try to breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your nose, if possible. If you need to breathe through your mouth, imagine that you are breathing in and out through a straw by “pursing” your lips. Try to imagine a slow “sine” wave (get out your old math books to see what I mean) and have your breathing pattern match that pattern. This slow regular breathing is most important. If possible, and you know what this means, also work at breathing using your diaphragm rather than your upper chest. You often can get help with this type of breathing by taking an introductory yoga class or checking out a videotape on yoga that focuses on breathing and relaxation. For some people with panic disorder as the cause of their hyperventilation, treatment with certain anti-depressant medications can be helpful, even if they do not feel depressed. The bottom line is that even though the cause of hyperventilation may technically be in your head, this is not an “all in your head” problem — you have a real problem based in altered physiological function. Best of all, this is a problem that can be treated successfully, so do not hesitate to seek out good help.
Sigh, hate illnesses you can't SEE and TOUCH then you don't panic as you know they are there, but the not knowing is the worst bit. Maybe I'm just nuts :)