Chronic hyperventilation syndrome § abnormal EKG

[Autumn Jaine]

I have not been formally diagnosed with Chronic Hyperventilation Syndrome yet (none of my doctors know of this disorder), but have read about the symptoms and it seems my symptoms fit the bill.  I recently had an abnormal EKG (I had a deep Q wave-- which the cardiologist said it could be a septum infarct-- sounds scary?), however my echocardiogram was completely normal. I read on the web that you can have an abnormal EKG w/ this syndrome.  Do you have any info. on what kind of EKG abnormalities exist with CVS.  My symptoms are: a feeling of suffocation, palpitations at times, belching, sighing & yawning frequently (I do not experience tingling in the extremities or around the mouth).  Coexisting I also almost always have a stuffed up nose (perhaps I should get an allergy test?)  Anyway, I am 31 (overweight) years old and been having these symptoms on and off for 14 years.  I am having a hard time getting any doctor to even look at the fact that I could have this syndrome and it is frustrating.  They are going to give me a stress test and a sleep study.  I am tired of not being able to breathe-- I wish to lose weight and that is what promted me to go to the doctor.  Please let me know if what I am describing sounds like Chronic hyperventilation syndrome and what kind of EKG abnormalities exist with this disorder.  I appreciate your help.

[National Jewish]

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, it is important that you be thoroughly examined by your doctor as you have been trying to do.  Hyperventilation can change the acid-base balance and the electrolyte balance in your body.  These changes can cause EKG abnormalities such as, irregular rhythms, changes in intervals, and changes in T waves.  These changes are more likely to happen in people who have coronary artery disease.

Usually hyperventilation is related to a condition called panic disorder.  This unfortunately is a very bad name.  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 controls your breathing.  This leads to frightening, but not harmful, “suffocation false alarms”.  In some people this triggers feelings of panic, but in others this just leads to intense feelings of “smothering” along with all the body symptoms, including numbness and “pins-and-needles” tingling of hand, fingers and lips.  Excessive caffeine can certainly make things worse.

Diaphragmatic breathing can help you move more air in and out of your lungs. This is the most efficient way to breathe and may improve your symptoms.  Learning this technique will help you to breathe slowly, regularly, gently, and smoothly all of the time.  Here are the instructions:
· Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose.
· While you breathe in, count 1, 2 and push your stomach out.
· Place your hand on your stomach so you can feel your stomach going out.  This promotes the use of your diaphragm and your lower breathing muscles.
· Breathe out slowly and deeply through your mouth.  Imagine that you are breathing out through a straw by “pursing” your lips.
· While you slowly breathe out all the way, count 1, 2, 3, 4 and let your stomach relax.  You can feel your stomach going in with your hand.
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.

[Ellis7]

Re; stuffed up nose. There are nasal sprays that can open up the nose, like Nasalcrom, and steroid sprays like Nasonex. Also saline nasal washes can be tried; and an antihistamine nasal spray like Astelin. Its important the nose be open so you can breathe thru it to filter, warm and humidify air going to the lungs. A consult with an ENT may be useful.

Re; Chronic Hyperventilation Syndrome, see:
http://www.remcomp.fr/asmanet/edit9702.html
Hyperventilation syndrome and Asthma - Just think about it ....
"The respiratory symptoms associated with this syndrome include shortness of breath, usually described as "air hunger" - a need to take a deep, satisfying breath, accompanied by a feeling of difficulty in inflating the lungs-, a small dry cough, the impression of a tickle in the throat. Most hyperventilators tend to sigh or yawn frequently and typically adopt a pattern of thoracic instead of diaphragmatic breathing..........
In fact, the presence of asthma does not exclude the diagnosis of hyperventilation. Both conditions are frequently associated.....
The investigation of a subject suspected of hyperventilation syndrome should include a systematic questionnaire and a good physical examination with some screening test to eliminate treatable conditions : pulmonary function test including a methacholine or histamine challenge test, chest X-ray, EKG and biochemical test. If needed, other tests may complete the investigation such as a stress test, a coronarography, a brain CT scan or thyroid tests."

[fivefish]

A related discussion, hyperventilation ekg changes was started.