What happens when a person hyperventilates? What can be done to stop it?

Answer 1

In medicine, hyperventilation (or hyperpnea) is the state of breathing faster or deeper (hyper) than necessary, and thereby reducing the carbon dioxide concentration of the blood below normal.[1]

This causes various symptoms such as numbness or tingling in the hands, feet and lips, lightheadedness, dizziness, headache, chest pain, slurred speech and sometimes fainting.

The common treatment of breathing into a paper bag is no longer recommended by physicians and nurses, as it can cause the carbon dioxide level to rise too rapidly. Instead, the treatment centers on relieving the underlying condition, such as anxiety.

Answer 2

The cells are large enough that claustrophobia does not make a good argument. Whoops, looks like I'm wrong. In May 2006, 50 yr old Richard Thompson of Sidney, Nebraska was convicted of raping a 13 yr old girl on two separate occasions. He was given 10 years probation by Nebraska judge Kristine Cecava because Thompson stands only 5ft 1in tall and is too short for prison. He might get picked on. So maybe claustrophobia would make a good argument.

Answer 3

You throw the normal gas balance askew. The easiest way to prevent is to put a paper bag over the hyperventilator's head.

Answer 4

they pass out from lack of oxygen to the brain and u can stop it by breathing into a paper sack or put ur head between ur knees, and if that dont work make sure u land on sumthing soft, coz ur gonna feel it in a few seconds anyway

Answer 5

Breath into a paper bag.

Answer 6

Stress is the likely key to your symptoms. Hyperventilation is one of a number of physical symptoms that can occur in association with a feeling of panic or anxiety. The symptom is usually triggered by a sudden change in emotion linked to a particular situation or fear.

The condition is extremely variable in its frequency.

Over breathing causes a reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood. This may lead to numbness and tingling around the mouth and/or muscle spasm in the hands and feet. Although there is no easy way to prevent or predict an attack, an episode can often be shortened or aborted by breathing slowly, in and out of a paper bag for a few minutes (covering your nose and mouth), thus restoring carbon dioxide levels to normal.

The best way for you to resolve the matter probably revolves around lowering your levels of stress.

Don't be afraid to discuss the problem with family members or close friends, this can often be very helpful in dispersing stress and developing local support and personal coping mechanisms. Fortunately for many sufferers, the problem occurs for only a limited time and resolves without the need for specific therapy.

Techniques of meditation and muscle relaxation can be extremely useful for some sufferers and a regular exercise programme is also an important factor in helping to reduce the effects of stress.

Adequate sleep is essential and therefore do try and avoid the habit of taking one's worries to bed. If these measures are not successful in dispelling the condition, your doctor will be able to help, first in assessing your general condition. They may offer you medication to reduce anxiety or tackle any depression that is present or refer you to a counsellor or psychologist to discuss how you feel and to explore the underlying reasons behind the problem.

Best wishes.

Yours sincerely

Dr John Pillinger, GP