Hyperventilation tips

Hyperventilation... A medical term for breathing too fast. On average, adults breathe ten times a minute. With hyperventilation, this is more than double. When this happens, too much carbon dioxide disappears from your body and too much oxygen is taken in.

In acute hyperventilation, you get short of breath, may feel like you are suffocating or even faint. With chronic hyperventilation, symptoms can range from fatigue to dizziness. Does this sound familiar to you?

What are causes and effects of hyperventilation? 

The causes of hyperventilation are not always clear. Stress can worsen the symptoms. This is because stress causes you to breathe even faster, creating a vicious cycle. People can also become anxious if they know they suffer from hyperventilation. This can even take on such severe forms that it leads to a panic disorder like road fear. So it is very important to take these symptoms seriously and not keep running with them. 

Symptoms 

Despite having too much oxygen, there is insufficient oxygen content in the brain. This can cause the following symptoms, among others:

• Dizziness;
• Feeling confused;
• Chest pressure;
• Stiff muscles;
• Insomnia;
• A numb feeling.

If you suffer from hyperventilation, you also yawn or sigh more often. That yawning also causes problems, as it removes even more carbon dioxide from the blood.

What helps with hyperventilation?

1. Good calm abdominal breathing works and makes hyperventilation go away. It may sound easier than it seems, especially if you experience stress. Your breathing will then take over with you. Arranging life differently is key here. 
2. A therapist can help you with this with cognitive therapy. This looks at what is causing it and how you can arrange your life differently. Mindfulness can also contribute to good breathing, as it focuses on removing stress.
3. Drinking cola and coffee stimulates hyperventilation. If you suffer from this, it is better to leave it alone.
4. Breathing exercises. If you want to get started yourself, you can do the following exercise:
   1. Lie down quietly;
   2. Put your hands on your belly;
   3. Inhale for 4 counts, with the abdomen expanding;
   4. Then exhale with the belly going in;
   5. Try to hold the exhalation for a long time;

Do you suffer from these complaints and want to know what we can do for you? Then take contact on with the practice.