Overview

Hyperventilation is breathing that is deeper and more rapid than normal. It causes a decrease in the amount of a gas in the blood. (This gas is called carbon dioxide, or CO2.) The decrease may make you feel lightheaded. You may have a rapid heartbeat and be short of breath. It also can lead to numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, anxiety, fainting, and sore chest muscles.

Some causes of sudden hyperventilation include anxiety, fever, some medicines, intense exercise, and emotional stress. It also can occur because of problems caused by asthma or emphysema or after a head injury. But it occurs most often in people who are nervous or tense, breathe shallowly, and have other medical problems, such as lung diseases or panic disorder. It occurs more often in women than men. Most people who have it are 15 to 55 years old. It may occur when people travel to elevations over 6000 ft (2000 m). Symptoms can be like ones from another more serious medical problem, such as a lung problem.

Acute (sudden) hyperventilation is usually triggered by acute stress, anxiety, or emotional upset. Chronic (recurring) hyperventilation may be a lasting problem for people with other diseases, such as asthma, emphysema, or lung cancer.

Many women have problems with hyperventilation when they are pregnant. But it usually goes away on its own after the baby is born.

In many cases, hyperventilation can be controlled by learning proper breathing techniques.

Symptoms of hyperventilation

Symptoms usually last 20 to 30 minutes. They may include:

• Feeling anxious, nervous, or tense.
• Frequent sighing or yawning.
• Feeling that you can't get enough air (air hunger) or need to sit up to breathe.
• A pounding and racing heartbeat.
• Problems with balance, lightheadedness, or vertigo.
• Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or around the mouth.
• Chest tightness, fullness, pressure, tenderness, or pain.

Other symptoms may occur less often. You may not realize that they are directly related to hyperventilation. These symptoms can include:

• Headache.
• Gas, bloating, or burping.
• Twitching.
• Sweating.
• Vision changes, such as blurred vision or tunnel vision.
• Problems with concentration or memory.
• Loss of consciousness (fainting).

Hyperventilation isn't a disease. But you may need to be checked by your doctor if you keep having symptoms. If you have recurring symptoms, you might be diagnosed with a condition called hyperventilation syndrome (HVS).

Treatment for hyperventilation depends on the cause. Home treatment is usually all that's needed for mild symptoms. Medical treatment may be needed for hyperventilation symptoms that are moderate to severe, that last for a long time, that come back, or that interfere with your daily activities. Treatment usually includes reassurance, stress reduction measures, breathing lessons, or medicine.

Self-Care

Home treatment may help you control your breathing and stop hyperventilation.

Always try steps to control your breathing or belly-breathe first. If these techniques don't work and you don't have other health problems, you might try breathing in and out of a paper bag that covers your nose and mouth.

First, sit down and concentrate on your breathing.

• Control your breathing.

  Breathe through pursed lips, as if you're whistling.

  Or pinch one nostril, and breathe through your nose. It's harder to hyperventilate when you breathe through your nose or pursed lips, because you can't move as much air.

• Slow your breathing to 1 breath every 5 seconds.

  Or breathe slowly enough that symptoms gradually go away.

• Try belly-breathing.
  • Place one hand on your belly just below the ribs. Place the other hand on your chest. You can do this while standing, but it may be more comfortable while you are lying on the floor with your knees bent.
  • Take a deep breath through your nose. As you inhale, let your belly push your hand out. Keep your chest still.
  • As you exhale through pursed lips, feel your hand go down. Use the hand on your belly to help you push all the air out. Take your time exhaling.
  • Repeat these steps 3 to 10 times. Take your time with each breath.
• Breathe into a paper bag.
  • Use a paper bag to control your breathing. Take 6 to 12 easy, natural breaths, with a small paper bag held over your mouth and nose. Then remove the bag from your nose and mouth and take easy, natural breaths.
  • Next, try belly-breathing (diaphragmatic breathing).
  • Switch between these techniques until your hyperventilation stops.

  But don't use a paper bag if:

  • You have any heart or lung problems, such as coronary artery disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, emphysema), or a history of deep vein thrombosis, stroke, or pulmonary embolism.
  • Rapid breathing occurs at a high altitude [above 6000 ft (2000 m)]. Breathing faster than normal is a natural response to an increased altitude.

  If you use the bag method, follow these precautions.

  • Don't use a plastic bag.
  • Don't breathe continuously into a paper bag. Take 6 to 12 natural breaths, with a paper bag held over your mouth and nose. Then remove the bag from your nose and mouth.
  • Don't hold the bag for a person who is hyperventilating. Allow the person to hold the bag over his or her own mouth and nose.

If you have episodes of hyperventilation that last a long time or occur often, talk to your doctor about your symptoms.

When to call for help during self-care

Call a doctor if any of the following occur during self-care at home:

• Symptoms don't improve with home treatment.
• Symptoms occur more often or are more severe.

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