Hyperventilation
Want to watch this video? Sign up for the course
or enter your email below to watch one free video.
Unlock This Video Now for FREE
This video is normally available to paying customers.
You may unlock this video for FREE. Enter your email address for instant access AND to receive ongoing updates and special discounts related to this topic.
Hyperventilation: Causes, Symptoms, and Management
Understanding Hyperventilation
An exploration of hyperventilation, a condition where the body expels more carbon dioxide than it produces, with both voluntary and involuntary triggers.
Voluntary and Involuntary Hyperventilation
Examining the two main categories of hyperventilation: voluntary and involuntary.
- Voluntary Hyperventilation: Excessive breathing, often seen in practices like free diving, yoga, and medical procedures.
- Involuntary Hyperventilation: Occurs as a response to physical and emotional stimuli, stemming from various medical conditions and stress-related factors.
Effects of Hyperventilation
Discussing the consequences of hyperventilation, including physical symptoms and potential complications.
- Physical Symptoms: Dizziness, tingling lips, agitation, confusion, breathlessness, headaches, weakness, fainting, seizures, and muscle spasms.
- Complications: Shallow water blackout in free divers, respiratory alkalosis, and hyperventilation syndrome.
Underlying Causes
Identifying various triggers and conditions that lead to hyperventilation.
- Physical Triggers: High-altitude environments, pregnancy-related hormonal changes, head injuries, strokes, asthma, pneumonia, cardiovascular issues, anaemia, drug reactions.
- Psychological Triggers: Stress, anxiety, fear, pain, and emotional distress.
Managing Hyperventilation
Providing guidance on how to manage hyperventilation episodes and when to seek medical help.
- Initial Steps: Treat the underlying cause, especially in cases triggered by physical conditions.
- Breaking the Cycle: Recognize anxiety-driven hyperventilation, avoid re-breathing into a paper bag without medical advice, employ relaxation techniques, and breathing exercises.
- Assisting Patients: Encourage controlled breathing and provide reassurance; referral to a doctor may be necessary for underlying causes.
Recommended Products For You
Tourni-Key Plus
£7.50 + VAT
Public Access Bleed Control Kit Pro - Large
£80.00 + VAT
HeartSine samaritan PAD 350P - Special Offer -
£760.00 + VAT