Hyperventilation can cause which of the following issues

Some are treatable at home with ice and rest, while others are life-threatening and require immediate medical…. Panic attacks can be sudden and overpowering.

Knowing what to do can help people regain control. This article looks at 13 ways to stop a panic attack. Hyperventilation: Causes and what to do. Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, R. Share on Pinterest Hyperventilation can cause the feeling of not getting enough air. Share on Pinterest A doctor may recommend an X-ray to diagnose the cause of hyperventilation. Home remedies. When to seek emergency care. Share on Pinterest A person should seek emergency care the first time they experience hyperventilation.

Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3.

Related Coverage. What are the health effects of chronic stress? Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. What to know about anxiety. Medically reviewed by Dillon Browne, PhD. What to do at home for an asthma attack Asthma attacks can be frightening, especially if a person is unprepared. 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.

Hyperventilation is treatable, but you may have underlying problems. Your doctor can help you get to the root of the problem and find an appropriate treatment. An incentive spirometer is a device that can help you strengthen your lungs. Learn how it works, who it helps, and where to get one. Belly or abdominal breathing offers a number of benefits for health and well-being. The goal is to drain the fluid and make it easier for you to…. Popcorn lung is caused by exposure to toxic chemicals found in microwaveable popcorn factories and e-cigarettes.

Symptoms include flu-like illness…. A pulmonologist is a doctor who focuses on the respiratory system. Discover the conditions they treat such as COPD , exams they conduct, and much…. Pleural effusion, also called water on the lung, happens when fluid builds up between your lungs and chest cavity. Learn why this happens and how to…. Home Treatment Home treatment may help you control your breathing and stop hyperventilation.

Breathing techniques Breathe through pursed lips, as if you are whistling, or pinch one nostril and breathe through your nose.

It is harder to hyperventilate when you breathe through your nose or pursed lips, because you can't move as much air. Slow your breathing to 1 breath every 5 seconds, or slow enough that symptoms gradually go away. Try belly-breathing, which fills your lungs fully, slows your breathing rate, and helps you relax. Place one hand on your belly just below the ribs.

Place the other hand on your chest. You can do this while standing, but it may be more comfortable while you are lying on the floor with your knees bent. Take a deep breath through your nose. As you inhale, let your belly push your hand out. Keep your chest still. As you exhale through pursed lips, feel your hand go down. Use the hand on your belly to help you push all the air out. Take your time exhaling.

Repeat these steps 3 to 10 times. Take your time with each breath. Using a paper bag Use a paper bag to control your breathing. Take 6 to 12 easy, natural breaths, with a small paper bag held over your mouth and nose. Then remove the bag from your nose and mouth and take easy, natural breaths.

Next, try belly-breathing diaphragmatic breathing. Alternate these techniques until your hyperventilation stops. If hyperventilation continues for longer than 30 minutes, call your doctor immediately. Do not use a paper bag if: You have any heart or lung problems, such as coronary artery disease, asthma , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD, emphysema , or a history of deep vein thrombosis , stroke , or pulmonary embolism.

Rapid breathing occurs at a high altitude [above ft m ]. Breathing faster than normal is a natural response to an increased altitude. Follow these precautions when using the bag method: Do not use a plastic bag. Do not breathe continuously into a paper bag. Take 6 to 12 natural breaths, with a paper bag held over your mouth and nose, then remove the bag from your nose and mouth.

Do not hold the bag for the person who is hyperventilating. Allow the person to hold the bag over his or her own mouth and nose. Symptoms to watch for during home treatment Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment: Symptoms do not improve with home treatment measures. Symptoms become more severe or frequent.

Prevention You may be able to avoid hyperventilation: Breathe through your nose. It is harder to hyperventilate when your mouth is closed, because you can't move as much air through your nose. Loosen your clothing. Tight belts and waistbands, girdles, bras, and skintight jeans can all restrict breathing and cause shallow, upper-chest breathing.

Learn belly-breathing diaphragmatic breathing techniques, and practice them when you are not hyperventilating so that you can use the techniques when you need them. People who hyperventilate usually take shallow breaths, filling only their upper chest when they inhale.

Try different relaxation techniques and see what works best for you. For more information, see the topic Stress Management. Talk to friends, family members, or a counselor to help you relieve anxiety. Keep a journal to help you focus on your problems and find workable solutions. Eat a healthy mix of foods. Watch out for caffeine: drink less coffee, tea, and soda, and do not eat as much chocolate.

For more information, see the topic Healthy Eating. Regular aerobic exercise forces you to take full breaths and helps you to reduce anxiety that contributes to hyperventilation. For more information, see the topic Fitness. Make sure you get a good night's sleep. Being rested may help reduce daytime anxiety. For more information, see the topic Sleep Problems, Age 12 and Older.

Practice healthy thinking and stop negative thoughts. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions: What are your main symptoms? How long have you had your symptoms? What was happening in your life when your symptoms began? Have you had this problem before? If so, do you know what caused the problem at that time? How was it treated? Or, it can be due to a medical problem, such as bleeding or infection.

Your health care provider will determine the cause of your hyperventilation. Rapid breathing may be a medical emergency and you need to get treated, unless you have had this before and your provider has told you that you can treat it on your own.

When you're overbreathing, you might not be aware you're breathing fast and deep. But you'll likely be aware of the other symptoms, including:. If your provider has said your hyperventilation is due to anxiety, stress, or panic, there are steps you can take at home. You, your friends, and family can learn techniques to stop it from happening and prevent future attacks. If you start hyperventilating, the goal is to raise the carbon dioxide level in your blood.

This will end most of your symptoms. Ways to do this include:. Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. Your breathing will also be checked.

If you are not breathing quickly at the time, the provider may try to cause hyperventilation by telling you to breathe in a certain way.