Overview:* Hyperventilation syndrome is a breathing
disorder* It affects between 10-30 percent of
otherwise healthy people* Symptoms include shortness of breath,
rapid breathing and heart rate* Symptoms such as chest pain or dizziness
should be checked by adoctor* Hyperventilation may be a response to
emotional or environmental factors* The condition can cause changes to bodily
systems, tension and headaches* Treatment involves breathing retraining
and medication is some casesWhat is it?Hyperventilation
syndrome/Breathing Patterns Disorders are defined simply as moving more air through the chest than the
body can deal with. It
may be caused by breathing faster than normal (more than 15 breaths a minute)
mouth breathing, sighing or yawning frequently.Most
people have experienced short episodes of acute over breathing during stressful
or frightening events and its very easy to spot. But
more subtle is chronic hyperventilation which is characterized by a wide array
of symptoms, mimicking serious disease, baffling to both sufferer and doctor
alike.The
balance between the oxygen-rich air we breathe in and the carbon-dioxide rich
air breathed out is balanced by the lungs. In chronic over breathers, too much
carbon dioxide is flushed out of the system, altering normal body chemistry and
disturbing the body's pH (acid/alkaline balance), producing unpleasant
physiological changes. Even
slight falls or fluctuations in carbon dioxide levels will directly effect nerve cells, as well as blood flow to the heart and
brain, producing a wide variety of symptoms in any organ or system in the body.Natural
anxiety over symptoms leads to further over-breathing, creating a vicious
circle. This new breathing pattern becomes a major stress all by itself.A
largely unrecognized side effect of prolonged stress, hyperventilation syndrome
(HVS) often holds the key to a wide range of health problems.The
normal pattern of breathing often changes from abdominal breathing to upper
chest breathing, often through the mouth, leading to musculo-skeletal
changes of upper chest and neck muscles which in turn causes
pain, tension and headaches.Described
as a diagnosis begging for recognition, HVS is increasingly recognized as a
significant cause of ill-health, although remains widely under-diagnosed.Why does this happen?HVS
is the body's way of signaling distress, and there are many triggers, involving
physical, emotional and environmental factors:·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.·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.·Poor posture or ergonomics at work and resulting
Occupational Overuse Syndrome are common triggers.·After surgery, or illness, or prolonged social or
physical stressWhat are the symptoms?ACUTE
ATTACK - agitation, rapid upper chest breathing and heart-rate, chest pains,
shortness of breath, nausea, tingling dizziness, clammy hands, dilated pupils,
perhaps fainting and general weakness.CHRONICITY
- general tiredness, lack of concentration and sleep disturbances, tingling,
dizziness, chest pains and palpitations, irritable cough and breathing
discomfort with frequent sighs and yawns, erratic blood pressure, upset gut,
bloated feelings, nausea, sexual problems, achy muscles, twitching and cramps,
tension and panicky feelings, depression and anxiety.If
undiagnosed and untreated, the chronic hyperventilator
lives in fear and loathing of symptoms, self confidence takes a nose-dive. Life becomes a misery for the over-breather as
well as family and friends.Caution: known as the great mimic, some HVS symptoms such as
chest pain, dizziness and shortness of breath need checking by your doctor to
rule out serious events.What can be done to help?An
accurate diagnosis, recognition of causes or triggers, and an expert assessment
by a specialist physiotherapist is the first step.This
will provide a 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.Counselling
for anxiety and depression if required.Medication
such as anti-anxiolytics/muscle relaxants if
indicated.Fifty
percent of the cure is knowledge of the disorder and its triggers. Fifty
percent is hard graft, undertaking and committing to breathing pattern
retraining and learning effective specific relaxation methods.It
takes up to 6 to 8 weeks to change an established pattern from dysfunctional
breathing, back to normal. Some may take longer.Regular
and effective practice is essential with regular checks with yourspecialist physiotherapist and liaison with your GP, and/or counselor.Common concernsAm I
going mad? Have I got a serious disease? Why me? Will I ever get over it? These
are all common expressions of disbelief at being diagnosed with HVS.The
good news is HVS/Breathing Pattern Disorders are just that -- a disorder not a
disease. The bad news is that it takes time, patience, and practice, practice,
practice. There is no instant cure.As
you learn to normalize your breathing and so restore balanced carbon dioxide
and oxygen levels, the unpleasant symptoms associated with over-breathing will
subside. You can enjoy life again!Getting helpYour
doctor will be able to help.B r
e a t h i n g Works - Breathing Pattern Disorders
Clinic and Resource Centre. Auckland.
Tel 09 5221122.Useful books; Hyperventilation Syndrome/Breathing Pattern Disorders.·Dinah Bradley
(Random House 2007.)3rd edition.) (Kyle Cathie UK 2006)·Breathing Works forAsthma. Dinah Bradley & Tania Clifton-Smith (Random House 2003)·Breathe Stretch & Move. Dinah Bradley & Tania Clifton-Smith (Random House 2005)·Multidisciplinary Approaches to Breathing Pattern
Disorders.Leon Chaitow, Dinah Bradley. Christopher
Gilbert (Churchill Livingstone 2002
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