It is known that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood in the arteries is maintained in the range of 37 to 43 mmHg when the body undergoes normal breathing processes such as exhaling carbon dioxide and receiving oxygen. Hyperventilation syndrome refers to a condition in which the carbon dioxide concentration in arterial blood, that is, arterial blood, falls below the normal range due to excessive carbon dioxide discharge during respiration, which is accompanied by symptoms such as dyspnea and dizziness.
It is known that the occurrence of hyperventilation syndrome is largely due to physical and psychological causes. Physical causes are mainly caused by lung and heart-related diseases such as pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, asthma, and heart failure, as well as hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, and sepsis. And it is known that the psychological causes are mainly caused by excessive emotional stress caused by mental anxiety, excitement, and tension.
In addition, several factors, such as side effects of aspirin, theophylline, and beta agonists, and the occurrence of neurological abnormalities, and pregnancy also affect the occurrence. It is known that about 6 to 10% of adults have symptoms related to hyperventilation syndrome, and among these, the incidence is reported to be higher in middle-aged people and women. Now, let’s learn about the main symptoms of hyperventilation syndrome, as well as various information related to treatment and prevention.
The main symptoms of hyperventilation syndrome
When hyperventilation syndrome occurs, the most common symptom is that breathing rapidly accelerates within a few minutes and the respiratory rate increases rapidly. In addition to these symptoms of shortness of breath, symptoms such as convulsions, muscle weakness, paresthesia, and paralysis may also appear. And with the low partial pressure of ideal carbon, alkalosis of the blood occurs, which can lead to electrolyte abnormalities.
When these electrolyte abnormalities occur, the blood vessels of the heart constrict, chest pain and arrhythmia due to irregular heart rate may appear. When these symptoms get worse, they may even lead to fainting.
Hyperventilation Syndrome Treatment and Prevention
1. Accurate diagnosis through multiple tests
Because the diseases that cause hyperventilation syndrome are very diverse, it is known that there is no specific test that applies collectively. In addition to confirming the presence or absence of a medical history presumed to be caused by various causes, and checking for recent anxiety and overdose of medications, various physical examinations such as numbness, numbness, convulsions, and tachypnea of the hands and feet are performed. You will check it exactly. In addition, through a test called arterial blood gas analysis, a decrease in carbon dioxide in the blood can be confirmed, and tests such as blood tests and lung function tests are performed to more accurately identify the causative disease.
2. Treatment appropriate for the diagnosis result
Through various tests, if the cause of hyperventilation is caused by a disease with multiple causes, treatment of the disease is the first priority. will run concurrently. In addition, if hyperventilation occurs suddenly, the method of retaking one’s own breath using an envelope can be implemented as an emergency measure. If you inflate the envelope with air and then inhale the air again, the carbon dioxide in the air is taken in again. This action is known to help prevent the sudden onset of symptoms caused by respiratory alkalosis by inducing the normalization of PH due to an increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the alveolar air. In addition, if it is caused by a psychological cause, it can be implemented by recognizing that the symptoms you are experiencing are not caused by a serious disease, and considering a breathing training program, cognitive behavioral therapy, and various medications such as anti-anxiety drugs and beta-blockers. do.
3. Stress Relief and Management
If hyperventilation syndrome is not caused by a specific disease, it is most important to maintain appropriate stress relief and management habits as the cause of excessive mental stress accounts for the largest portion of the occurrence. It is said that it is important to find the cause of anxiety, nervousness, and stress and make an effort to reduce it to a minimum, and to have a stable mind by taking sufficient rest, walking, exercise, and various hobbies that one likes.
In addition, when symptoms appear, various methods, such as relaxation therapy and abdominal breathing, are said to help prevent the onset of symptoms as much as possible. In addition, caffeine is known as one of the factors that can cause hyperventilation, so intake of caffeine-containing coffee and beverages should be appropriately controlled, and if symptoms are severe, intake should be restricted.
