2. Hyperventilation
Hyperventilation is rapid or deep
breathing, usually caused by
anxiety or panic. This overbreathing,
as it is sometimes called, may actually
leave you feeling breathless. When
you breathe, you inhale oxygen and
exhale carbon dioxide.
One of the most common causes of
hyperventilation is emotional distress,
including panic, fear, or anxiety. One
study of people experiencing
hyperventilation found that the most
common additional symptom was fear.
About half of the people in the study
also had a psychiatric condition.
3. Causes
Hyperventilation
• Anxiety disorder
• Panic attack
• Asthma
• Stress
• Worry or anxiety
• Hard exercise
• A variety of lung diseases
• Side effect from certain
drugs
• High altitude
• Having a head injury
• shock
Symptoms of Hyperventilation
• Shortness of breath, or
feeling that you can’t get
enough air
• A faster than normal
heartbeat
• Feeling faint, dizzy, or
lightheaded
• Pain or tightness in your
chest
• Frequent yawn or sighs
• A numb, tingly feeling in
your hands or feet
4. Treating hyperventilation
• Relax stay calm
• Don’t panic
• Breathe through pursed
lips.
• Breathe slowly into a
paper bag or cupped
hands.
• Attempt to breath into
your belly(diaphragm)
rather than your chest.
• Hold your breath for 10 to
15 seconds at a time.
