Why do ventilation values increase when hyperventilating

Medical treatment may be needed for hyperventilation symptoms that are moderate to severe, that last for long periods of time, that come back, or that interfere with your daily activities. Medical treatment usually includes reassurance, stress reduction measures, breathing lessons, or medicine. Check your symptoms to decide if and when you should see a doctor.

Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:. You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home. For men and women, the most common symptom is chest pain or pressure. But women are somewhat more likely than men to have other symptoms, like shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain.

Sometimes people don't want to call They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. Or they might be concerned about the cost.

But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call for medical transport to the hospital. Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care. Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. After you call , the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength mg or 2 to 4 low-dose 81 mg aspirin.

Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself. Home treatment may help you control your breathing and stop hyperventilation. First, sit down and concentrate on your breathing.

Always try measures to control your breathing or belly-breathe first. If these techniques don't work and you don't have other health problems, you might try breathing in and out of a paper bag that covers your nose and mouth. Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:. To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:. While waiting for your appointment, it may be helpful to keep a diary of your symptoms. Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff.

Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Hyperventilation. Topic Overview Hyperventilation is breathing that is deeper and more rapid than normal.

In many cases, hyperventilation can be controlled by learning proper breathing techniques. Symptoms of hyperventilation Symptoms of hyperventilation usually last 20 to 30 minutes and may include: Feeling anxious, nervous, or tense. Frequent sighing or yawning.

Feeling that you can't get enough air air hunger or need to sit up to breathe. A pounding and racing heartbeat. Problems with balance, lightheadedness , or vertigo. Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or around the mouth. Chest tightness, fullness, pressure, tenderness, or pain.

These symptoms can include: Headache. Gas, bloating, or burping. Vision changes, such as blurred vision or tunnel vision. Problems with concentration or memory. Loss of consciousness fainting. Check Your Symptoms Do you have problems with hyperventilation? How old are you? Less than 12 years.

Are you male or female? Why do we ask this question? The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have. If you are transgender or nonbinary, choose the sex that matches the body parts such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.

If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice once as "male" and once as "female". This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you. Have you noticed irregular heartbeats or heart rate changes even when you are not hyperventilating? Do you think there could be a breathing problem other than hyperventilation? Do you think you have a breathing problem other than hyperventilation? Did you pass out completely lose consciousness?

If you are answering for someone else: Is the person unconscious now? Are you back to your normal level of alertness? After passing out, it's normal to feel a little confused, weak, or lightheaded when you first wake up or come to. But unless something else is wrong, these symptoms should pass pretty quickly and you should soon feel about as awake and alert as you normally do.

Did the loss of consciousness occur during the past 24 hours? Could you be having symptoms of a heart attack? If you're having a heart attack, there are several areas where you may feel pain or other symptoms. Are you having trouble breathing more than a stuffy nose? Would you describe the problem as severe, moderate, or mild? Can you control your breathing? You should seek treatment for hyperventilation when the following symptoms occur:.

Some of these symptoms are:. Make sure to let your doctor know if you have recurring symptoms. You may have a condition called hyperventilation syndrome. It may be helpful to have someone with you to coach you through the episode. The goal of treatment during an episode is to increase carbon dioxide levels in your body and work to slow your breathing rate. You can also try alternate nostril breathing. This involves covering your mouth and alternating breathing through each nostril.

With your mouth covered, close the right nostril and breathe in through the left. Then alternate by closing the left nostril and breathing in through the right.

Repeat this pattern until breathing has returned to normal. You may also find that vigorous exercise, such as a brisk walk or jog, while breathing in and out of your nose helps with hyperventilation. If you have hyperventilation syndrome, you want to figure out what is causing it. If you experience anxiety or stress, you may want to see a psychologist to help you understand and treat your condition.

Acupuncture is an alternative treatment based on ancient Chinese medicine. It involves placing thin needles into areas of the body to promote healing. One preliminary study found that acupuncture helped reduce anxiety and the severity of hyperventilation.

Depending on the severity, your doctor may also prescribe medication. Examples of medications for hyperventilation include:. You can learn breathing and relaxation techniques to help prevent hyperventilation.

These include:. Exercising regularly walking , running , bicycling, etc. Remember to stay calm if you experience any of the symptoms of hyperventilation. Try the at-home breathing methods to get your breathing back on track, and make sure to go see your doctor.

The airways may narrow, making someone work harder to get air into the lungs, which could lead to rapid breathing. If a lung disease causes hyperventilation, symptoms may also include wheezing, chest pain, and coughing. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a complication of diabetes.

It can occur if the body does not have enough insulin for energy and burns fat instead. If the body relies on fats for too long, byproducts called ketones can build up in the body. Hyperventilation is one of the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis. Other symptoms include nausea, excessive thirst, and frequent urination. When a person is at a high altitude, the air pressure and oxygen level decrease, which can make breathing more difficult. At a high altitude, the lungs have to work harder to get oxygen into the body.

At an altitude of around 8, feet, a low oxygen level may lead to breathing problems, including hyperventilation. In some people, hyperventilation may start at elevations lower than 8, feet. For example, people with asthma may have respiratory problems at lower altitudes. They may carry out a physical exam and ask a person about their medical history. A chest X-ray and blood tests can help diagnose some causes of hyperventilation, such as infections. An arterial blood gas test measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.

This test can determine if hyperventilation has lowered carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Treatment for hyperventilation is intended to slow down fast breathing and return the rate to normal.

A doctor will aim to treat the underlying cause of hyperventilation to prevent it from happening in the future. For example, treating physical conditions that are causing hyperventilation, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, will bring the respiratory rate back to normal. In instances where hyperventilation is due to physiological issues, such as fear, anxiety, or panic attacks , treatment may include:. In some cases, it is difficult to determine if hyperventilation is due to a medical condition or emotional stress.

If hyperventilation is severe or if it is the first time a person experiences it, it is best to seek emergency medical attention. A wide variety of emotional and physical issues can cause hyperventilation. Some conditions leading to hyperventilation, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, are a medical emergency. However, severe or life-threatening causes of hyperventilation usually occur with additional symptoms.

If a person is hyperventilating, it is essential that they try to stay calm and use home-care methods, such as nostril breathing or belly breathing to slow the breathing rate and return it to normal. In instances when hyperventilation has an emotional cause, learning methods to reduce and manage stress can be useful.