Often stress leads to the fact that a person begins to breathe very deeply or superficially. This is a temporary phenomenon that can quickly pass on its own or with the help of special techniques. However, symptoms of lung disease sometimes also appear in this way. In this case, a diagnosis can only be made after examining the patient.
Hyperventilation of the lungs and its manifestations
An attack of hyperventilation occurs as a result of increased ventilation of the lungs, which appears with increased and increased respiration. At the same time, a large amount of carbon dioxide is released from the lungs, which leads to its decrease in the blood (hypocapnia). Blood acidity decreases and it becomes more alkaline. Oxygen ceases to enter the tissues, which causes oxygen starvation (or hypoxia).
Hyperventilation of the lungs is temporary and chronic.
The causes of temporary hyperventilation are most often stress, fear, a panic attack, various neuroses. Adrenaline (“stress hormone”), which is secreted into the bloodstream, causes rapid breathing. A similar condition appears when there is a lack of oxygen (high in the mountains), and also as a result of taking certain medications that excite the respiratory center in the brain (Cititon, various psychostimulants such as caffeine), with infectious diseases, high fever, bleeding, and so on. The duration of the attack is usually from half an hour to several hours (rarely).
Chronic hyperventilation of the lungs is a consequence of a disease accompanied by organic damage to the brain (trauma, tumor). It can provoke a heart attack with ischemia, arterial hypertension, lung disease. With toxicosis in pregnant women, as well as in patients with renal failure, when various toxic substances accumulate in the blood, a hyperventilation attack also occurs quite often.
Predisposing factors for the development of an attack are various diseases of the brain and nervous system, as well as an age factor - most often lung hyperventilation occurs in childhood (up to 12 years), with hormonal maturation in adolescents and elderly people.
Signs of hyperventilation
Hyperventilation syndrome of the lungs is accompanied by frequent superficial or, on the contrary, deep breathing, increasing anxiety, fear, dry mouth, palpitations, impaired vision, paresthesias ("goosebumps" on the skin, pain in the tips of the fingers). With a prolonged and intense attack, there is a decrease in normal mental performance, impaired orientation, dizziness, and often fainting. The changes that occur during hyperventilation attacks in a biochemical blood test sometimes affect certain nerve structures, exciting them, which can lead to seizures.
With a significant decrease in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood, a decrease in blood pressure, narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels in the brain and redistribution of blood flow are likely. These factors impair the blood supply to the brain and heart.
Doctor's help
During a visit to a medical institution, the doctor will be able to conduct a thorough examination, assess how a person breathes. If it is found that the respiratory rate is not high enough, the doctor can show how to breathe correctly.
If pulmonary hyperventilation is suspected, the following tests are performed: electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, blood test for carbon dioxide and oxygen in it, computed tomography of the chest, analysis of ventilation and blood supply to the lungs.