About one in every ten people is affected by hyperventilation syndrome. What is hyperventilation? Know all about it, its symptoms, causes and treatment, in this article.

Hyperventilation Syndrome

Have you ever wondered breathing in excess of oxygen, too, can cause you problems? Confused or shocked? Oxygen, the sole ingredient of our existence on earth, can be sometimes dangerous when inhaled in excessive quantities. This syndrome is defined as hyperventilation. Supplying too much of oxygen to the blood speeds up the heart rate as it has more oxygen to burn, thereby making breathing heavy and rapid than your normal breathing rate. Generally, hyperventilation is not a serious ailment nor does it cause major harm to our health. But, if at all, you experience such a problem, consult your doctor at the earliest. Ever wondered what are the factors that cause this over-breathing syndrome and how can it be identified? Glance through the following lines to know the causes, symptoms, and treatment of hyperventilation syndrome.
 
Hyperventilation Syndrome Causes
  • People with asthma and chronic mouth-breathing are more prone to hyperventilation.
  • Anemia could also be responsible for stimulating breathing rates due to shortage of red blood cells.
  • Levels of carbon dioxide reduce by up to 25% post ovulation, during pregnancy, and menopause due to hormonal changes. Girls and women during these periods can contract hyperventilation.
  • People who work vigorously at work, study, or sports have a larger risk of falling prey to hyperventilation.
  • Poor posture, ergonomics at work, and occupational overuse syndrome often trigger hyperventilation.
  • Numerous medical conditions, such as lung diseases, asthma, pneumonia and other lung infections, cardiac diseases, bleeding, head injury, coffee abuse, and strokes are some other reasons that can trigger this syndrome.
  • In case hyperventilation is caused frequently, it could be due to stress, anxiety, depression, anger, or panic related to some constant fear or phobia.
  • Overdose of certain medicines and exposure to some toxic substances are also responsible for this breathing problem.
Hyperventilation Syndrome Symptoms
Depending upon the amount of excessive oxygen supplied to your body, you can experience varied signs of hyperventilation. Some people complain of dizziness, irregular heart rhythms, and heavy breathing accompanied by sensations of exhaustion. Irritability, tiredness, lack of concentration, loss of sleep, dryness of mouth, panic attacks, anxiety, stomach upset, weakness, extreme tingling, feelings of tightness in the chest, shakiness, and perspiration are common signs of hyperventilation. Other symptoms may include eating disorders, breathlessness, fatigue, palpitations, nausea, restlessness, indigestion, muscle aches, loss or gain of weight, slurred speech, headaches, blurred vision, depression, cold or clammy hands and feet, impotency, premature ejaculation, and frigidity.
 
Hyperventilation Syndrome Treatment
Treatment for hyperventilation depends on the cause behind its occurrence. In case of mild symptoms, it can be cured by indulging in some physical exercises at home. Include breathing exercises to bring your breathing on normal track and prevent hyperventilation from continuing for longer durations. Breathe slowly and steadily through your nose into a paper bag to increase exhalation of carbon dioxide and immediately re-inhale the carbon dioxide exhaled. If symptoms of hyperventilation persist for prolonged periods, consult a physician for medical treatment through medications and stress reduction therapies.
 
After you have identified the causes and symptoms of hyperventilation, take proper medication and treatment to get rid of it. Once you are out of this disorder, you can enjoy life once again!

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