When your breathing is more rapid and much deeper than normal, you are likely suffering from what is known as hyperventilation. The over-breathing of air creates an insufficiency of carbon dioxide in the lungs and bloodstream, which is detrimental to metabolism and the immune system. Carbon dioxide deficit also affects respiratory gas exchange and diminishes the amount of oxygen carried by the blood to the brain, heart and kidneys. This situation can cause asthma, allergies, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression and many other diseases. Symptoms of hyperventilation may be feelings of lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat. Other symptoms can include anxiety, fainting, tingling in your feet or hands, and sore chest muscles. It is important that you know what causes hyperventilation and what hyperventilation treatments prevent hyperventilation.
Causes of Hyperventilation
Hyperventilation can be caused by poor breathing habits, illness, anxiety, intense exercise, emotional stress, and some medications. You may also experience hyperventilation due to breathing difficulties or asthma. This condition occurs most often in individuals who are nervous, tense, are heavy breathers, mouth breathers, and have other medical conditions, including panic disorder and lung disease. There are two different kinds of hyperventilation – recurring and sudden. Sudden, or acute hyperventilation, is caused by anxiety, stress, and becoming emotionally upset. Recurring, or chronic hyperventilation, is often the result of a breathing problem, asthma, or emphysema.
Hyperventilation Treatment
Hyperventilation treatment can be learned, and can help you regain control over your breathing. It is important that you become aware of your breathing habits. In 1952, Dr. K.P. Buteyko determined that chronic hyperventilation causes people to consume five to ten times more air than their bodies need. Reducing breathing is what Dr. Buteyko recommended as a hyperventilation treatment. In practice, breathing reduction was difficult for most of his patients because they did not apply awareness towards their breathing. Today, hyperventilation treatment can be learned with the help of a Breathing Normalization Specialist, due to the years of clinical research by Dr. Buteyko. Here are some ways to learn more about over-breathing, to reduce breathing and to prevent hyperventilation:
- To determine your level of hyperventilation, you can measure your breathing. http://www.breathingcenter.com/Breathing_test_hyperventilation_buteyko
- Dr. Buteyko developed a series of breathing exercises to reduce breathing, which eliminate symptoms and restore well-being to the body, mind and spirit. This method is called the Buteyko Breathing Normalization Method. You can learn more about our programs here: Buteyko Breathing Normalization.
- Meditate non-stop without meditating
- The best way to reduce your breathing is through relaxation. When we are relaxed, our breathing is shallow and it does not exceed the medical norm. Most people find relaxation is difficult and their diaphragm remains tense, supporting hyperventilation. To help relax and reduce breathing, the Breathing Center offers a Breathing Normalization™ Meditation, which is now available on our website. To purchase and download this audio recording as well as other Breathing Normalization™ Meditations created by Sasha Yakovleva-Fredricksen, please visit our online store.
If you want to know more about hyperventilation treatment, contact the Breathing Center, Holistic Health Improvement. Take our Free Breathing Test.
