Hyperventilation: Treatment, symptoms, advice and help

About hyperventilation

Hyperventilation also known as ‘overbreathing’ is defined as fast and deep breathing which may occur due to psychological causes or even serious medical causes. Normal breathing includes inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide from the lungs.

Hyperventilation: Incidence, age and sex

Hyperventilation may be seen in an individual of any age. There is no gender preference in hyperventilation. It is a common problem which may be associated or may arise due to other disorders.

Signs and symptoms of hyperventilation: Diagnosis

Hyperventilation is a term used for breathing which is fast-paced and deep. It is associated with other features like light headedness, palpitations, chest pain, cold and clammy skin, ringing in the ears and spasmodic contractions of muscles of the hands and the feet. Sometimes it may progress to shortness of breath.

Such features should not be ignored but comprehensively evaluated. Cardiac causes of breathlessness like congestive heart failure or respiratory causes like lung infections should be investigated by chest X-ray, CT scan of chest, ECG and echocardiography. It is also important to conduct a psychiatric and psychological assessment of the individual. Moreover blood gas analysis may also be required to assess any metabolic discrepancies which may have arisen due to hyperventilation.

Causes and prevention of hyperventilation

The causes of hyperventilation may vary from mild to moderate to severe. Most commonly, it may be seen in an individual with panic attack, emotional stress, hysteria or anxiety. It may also be an attention seeking psychological problem in some children. Sometimes pregnant women during last trimester of pregnancy may also manifest hyperventilation which occurs due to increased weight of uterus upon the lungs. Potentially life-threatening causes diabetic ketoacidosis and sudden and increased blood loss may also lead to hyperventilation. Not only this, congestive heart failure and severe lung infections are also significant causative factors.

Hyperventilation: Complications

The complications of hyperventilation include imbalance in the metabolic status of blood which results from increase in carbon dioxide in blood (hypercapnia). Moreover, the underlying causes of hyperventilation may lead to serious complications.

Hyperventilation: Treatment

The evaluation of hyperventilation requires a multi-disciplinary approach involving a cardiologist, a psychiatrist and a psychologist. The exact treatment depends upon the cause. Counselling sessions may be needed in an individual with psychological problems. Regular physical exercise, breathing exercises and reducing stress may help in managing this condition.