Hyperventilation First Aid

photo source: youtube.com

Hyperventilation occurs when a person takes quick, shallow breaths from the top of their chest, resulting in a reduction in the level of carbon dioxide in the blood. This is sometimes called over breathing. Rapid or deep breathing is sometimes seen in very serious conditions such as infection, bleeding, or heart attack.  Hyperventilation syndrome is more specific and relates to an over breathing pattern that happens under certain conditions. 

Take note of these symptoms:

• Bloating
• Rapid Breathing
• Burping
• Rapid Pulse
• Passing excess gas
• Dry mouth
• Fainting
• Hand and finger spasms
• Pressure sensation in the abdomen Numbness
• Spasms or cramps of the hands and feet
• Anxiety
• Muscle twitching
• Feeling of shortness of breath

Common causes include anxiety ,fear of irrational emotional outbursts, panic attack, stress, hysteria, cardiac disease, severe pain, bleeding, drugs (example: aspirin overdose) , pregnancy, ketoacidosis and similar medical conditions.Lung disease such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary embolism. Another common cause is Infection specifically pneumonia or sepsis.

Action to take during hyperventilation:

During an attack, try too slow your breathing.  Take 1 breath every 10 seconds.  Do not breathe into a paper bag.   This can be dangerous because you may not get enough.  This can be dangerous because you may not get enough oxygen. You may need help to deal with the stress or anxiety that is causing you to hyperventilate.  Family, friends, clergy, your doctor or a mental health center may be able to help.

This video will explain what hyperventilation exactly is.It's causes and possible symptoms and you will also learn the difference between acute and chronic hyperventilation is explained. Finally, it is told what you should do when you have a (panic) attack of hyperventilation.