Anxiety and Panic Help - Hyperventilation

Overview

Shortness of breath can be described as quick, shallow breaths. On the other hand, hyperventilation is quick, deep breaths. These quick, deep breaths can lead to an abnormally low level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the bloodstream and a constriction of the blood vessels in the brain. Hyperventilation is usually caused by anxiety or by an emotional outburst. Of course, there can be other underlying physical causes of hyperventilation, such as pulmonary disease or metabolic disturbances, but this article will focus primarily on hyperventilation induced by anxiety.

Symptoms

The decrease in circulating CO2 and constricted blood vessels in the brain often cause dizziness, faintness, tingling in the lips and hands/feet and headache, among other symptoms. These symptoms are usually preceded by anxiety or an emotional outburst.

Treatment

Breathing into a paper bag can be helpful for treating hyperventilation because it increases the amount of circulating CO2 in the bloodstream and stops the pattern of abnormal breathing. If you are witnessing someone hyperventilate, try to reassure and comfort him. If you can remove the fear or the source of the anxiety, do so. For example, if you have a friend who is absolutely petrified of cockroaches, and who screams and hyperventilates at their very sight, the simple fix would be to get rid of the cockroach. Certainly don’t make fun of the person who is hyperventilating. No matter how little or petty the fear may seem to you, this is not a petty matter to the person suffering. Hyperventilating, in some cases, can lead to fainting, so please consider the welfare of the patient. Lastly, if you regularly experience anxiety that leads to hyperventilation, please contact your healthcare provider to discuss treatment options that can target the root of the problem. Though hyperventilation may not seem like an extremely dangerous problem, take it seriously if it happens to you on a regular basis.