Hyperventilation - symptoms, causes, therapies

What to do in hyperventilation?

Hyperventilation can occur as a concomitant of various diseases, but is usually psychogenic in the acute case. Although subjectively perceived as shortness of breath, hyperventilation literally translates to "over-aeration," in which breathing is much stronger, deeper, and / or accelerated than necessary. Frequent triggers are mental conflicts, anxiety and panic. In most cases, the symptoms of acute psychogenic hyperventilation are not dangerous and may be alleviated by sedative effects.

contents

• What to do in hyperventilation?
• Hyperventilation - a quick overview
• What happens when Hyperventilieren in the body?
• Hyperventilation as a disease symptom
• Fear and excitement as the most common causes
• Hyperventilation can be dangerous?
• Help with acute psychogenic hyperventilation
• What to do if others have a hyperventilation fit
• From when should you contact a doctor?
• relaxation techniques

Hyperventilation - a quick overview

Hyperventilation is often "only" an overreaction of the body to perceived shortness of breath, agitation or anxiety. In some cases, however, the symptom may indicate a mental or physical condition. Here is a brief overview:

• definitionIncreased need for ventilation of the lungs (in response to mental or physical causes) associated with a decrease in blood carbon dioxide and an increase in blood pH.
• symptomsTachypnea (accelerated breathing), feeling of tightness in the chest, coughing, dizziness, nausea, tremors, numbness, tingling in the limbs, cramping of the lips and hands (paw position), cold and damp skin, anxiety, fainting.
• Mental causes: Reaction to anxiety, panic, agitation, pain or mental illness such as depression or cardiac neurosis.
• Physical causesAsthma, Hyperthyroidism, Pneumothorax, Heart failure or electrolyte imbalance, Brain inflammation, Brain tumor, Traumatic brain injury, Stroke, Poisoning, Infectious diseases, etc..
• therapy: For physical causes, the underlying disease must be treated. In psychic causes psychotherapeutic breathing and relaxation techniques show good effect.

Strong emotions such as fear, panic, excitement or feelings of tightness trigger hyperventilation in some people. In some cases, hyperventilation may also indicate a physical or mental illness. (Image: RFBSIP / fotolia.com)

What happens when Hyperventilieren in the body?

At first, sufferers often feel a tightness in the chest. This can also be accompanied by a coughing. This creates a need to breathe in deeper or faster. By breathing fast and shallow, where more carbon dioxide escapes than can be newly formed, the oxygen-carbon dioxide ratio in the blood gets out of balance and the ph value increases. If this condition persists, the calcium level will drop and dizziness, nausea, shaking hands, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet as well as cramping of the lips and hands (so-called "paw position") may occur. Other possible side effects are:

• Muscle aches,
• a headache,
• inner unrest,
• cold sweat,
• Anxiety to panic attack,
• unconsciousness.

Hyperventilation as a disease symptom

Hyperventilation may occur as a result of metabolic damage to the central nervous system or be a reaction to hypoxia, such as asthma. In addition, it can also be triggered hormonally (for example, in hyperthyroidism) or medicinal. To eliminate the symptoms, the underlying disease must be recognized and treated. A chronic form of the syndrome can be caused by incorrect breathing techniques. Help can be expected here through respiratory therapy, which is offered by specially trained non-medical practitioners, speech therapists or respiratory-speaking and voice teachers.

Most causes of hyperventilation are psychological. Here relaxation techniques and calming persuasion often show good effects. (Image: Aaron Amat / fotolia.com)

Fear and excitement as the most common causes

In most cases it is a so-called psychogenic hyperventilation, which is not based on any organic cause. It can be triggered by crying experiences, anxiety, excitement or even by respiratory distress.

Hyperventilation can be dangerous?

Although these phenomena are quite harmless, those affected feel they are very threatening. An attempt to compensate for the perceived shortness of breath by means of increased "snap-breathing" results in an aggravation of the symptoms, the latter partly coinciding with those of a panic attack in the case of anxiety disorders. As a result, hyperventilation is also considered a factor that favors panic attacks.

Help with acute psychogenic hyperventilation

Symptoms can be quickly alleviated and resolved as sufferers begin to breathe slowly and calmly. If this is no longer possible, because the excitement has already become too big, the hyperventilating person should breathe into a paper or plastic bag. The exhaled carbon dioxide is inhaled again, so that the oxygen content in the blood can regulate. If necessary, it is also sufficient to hold the arched hand in front of the mouth and nose of the person concerned.

When hyperventilation is based on mental causes, breathing into a bag often helps. If physical causes of hyperventilation are known, this measure should not be used. (Image: Henrie / fotolia.com)

What to do if others have a hyperventilation fit

Explanatory and reassuring words can help those affected to reduce emerging anxiety and panic feelings. It is important to stay calm and not to be infected by the panic. One should look for the eye to the affected person and draw attention to the breathing with a calm voice. People should be encouraged to inhale through the mouth and exhale through the nose.

From when should you contact a doctor?

If the symptoms do not improve with the measures described here, a doctor should be contacted quickly. This may optionally act with a sedative and clarify whether a physical cause such as pneumothorax, asthma, heart failure or electrolyte imbalance behind the attacks. Furthermore, mental illnesses such as depression or cardiac neurosis may also be considered.

relaxation techniques

In addition to psychotherapy, where certain breathing techniques are learned, various methods of stress reduction can also contribute to relaxation. In addition to autogenic training is here the progressive muscle relaxation. In addition, meditation, tai chi or yoga can help to better control nascent emotional conflicts. (jvs, vb; updated 04.09.2018)