Hyperventilation Syndrome: Everything You Need to Know

What is Hyperventilation Syndrome?

When you breathe, you inhale (breathe in) oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide you exhale (breathe out). This happens spontaneously and unconsciously at a rate between 12-18 times per minute for adults, 22-30 times per minute for young children, and 30-60 times per minute for infants under a year old, according to the Merck Manuals.

Hyperventilation syndrome is a pattern of breathing much faster (and sometimes deeper) than normal. If this pattern continues for some time, the carbon dioxide level in the blood can get too low (a condition called hypocapnia) and lead to frightening symptoms, according to the Merck Manuals. If you experience hyperventilation symptoms when you are anxious, it may be referred to as a panic attack. People who have been diagnosed with panic disorder are at a higher risk for hyperventilation than those who don’t, according to the Merck Manuals.

What Causes Hyperventilation Syndrome?

There are several reasons that could cause hyperventilation syndrome, according to the Merck Manuals. Some of the reasons they list are:

• Anxiety or panic disorder (most common)
• Pregnancy
• Bleeding
• Infection
• High stress
• Certain heart and lung problems
• Medications that increase cardiac or respiratory demand
• Recreational drugs that stimulate the senses

How is Hyperventilation Syndrome Diagnosed?

There is no specific testing to diagnose hyperventilation syndrome, according to the Merck Manuals. There are, however, tests that will rule out other causes for your symptoms, they note. If you are hyperventilating, the Merck Manuals lists the following tests as tests you may have done:

• Pulse oximetry (Pulse ox) - This is a test that measures the oxygen level in your blood.
• Chest X-ray - This imaging test can rule out problems with your lungs and bone structures.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) - This test looks at your heart rhythm and is used to rule out other cardiac causes of the symptoms

Symptoms of Hyperventilation

When you hyperventilate, you breathe faster than normal (tachypnea) and cause the carbon dioxide in your blood to drop (hypocapnia). This can cause several symptoms, according to the Merck Manuals, including:

• Rapid breathing
• Shortness of breath or the feeling that you can’t get enough air
• Anxiety, fear, panic, or strong feeling of dread or doom
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Chest pain or squeezing in the chest
• Fast, pounding, or skipping heartbeat
• Sweating
• Numbness or tingling around the mouth and in the fingers
• Muscle cramps in the hands or feet

What is the Treatment for Hyperventilation Syndrome?

According to the Merck Manuals, the most common and effective treatments for hyperventilation syndrome are calming and breathing techniques.

The Merck Manuals explains that your healthcare provider may ask about your health history and perform some diagnostic testing to rule out all possible causes of hyperventilation (such as a heart problem or an infection). If your hyperventilation is found to be caused by an anxiety disorder or panic disorder, your healthcare provider can help you get your breathing under control with a technique known as “breathing retraining”.

Breathing Retraining

Breathing retraining is a type of breathing that involves the use of your belly rather than your chest. By using this technique, you can slow down your breathing to stop or prevent hyperventilation, according to the Merck Manuals.

The Merck Manuals lists the following steps for practicing breathing retraining:

1. Lie flat on your back.
2. Place one hand on your upper chest and the other on your belly (just below your rib cage).
3. Breathe in slowly through your nose—paying attention to how much your hands are rising from your lung movements.
4. Adjust your breathing so that the hand on your belly rises more than the hand on your chest.

Therapy for Mental Health Concerns

The Merck Manuals also notes that if you have a mental health condition (like depression or anxiety disorder), you may be more susceptible to experiencing hyperventilation syndrome. If this is the case, the Merck Manuals recommends therapy as a way to help you treat or manage and prevent hyperventilation syndrome episodes.

Stress Management

The Merck Manuals notes that there is no certain way to prevent hyperventilation syndrome, but stress management has been shown to help—especially if stress, anxiety, or panic disorder are contributing factors for your episodes of hyperventilation. Stress management tips from the Merck Manuals include:

• Regular exercise
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Mindfulness techniques

Urgent Care Near Me

Hyperventilation syndrome can be a scary experience. Seeking medical care is important, and the most cost-effective way to see a doctor may be a visit to your local urgent care clinic. You can even go to urgent care for mental health concerns. Find your closest urgent care clinic using Solv.