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Anxiety Reactions and Hyperventilation
Occasional bouts of SUDDEN anxiety or "panic attacks" can be accompanied by 0 (rapid breathing). Anxiety can stem from personal problems, job related stress, family, and financial matters. Other causes of anxiety can be related to side effects of certain drugs, or ingestion of stimulants (i.e. caffeine, amphetamines, diet pills, nicotine, cocaine). Common symptoms of anxiety attacks with hyperventilation include: nervousness, palpitations, increased respiratory rate (30 breaths per minute or more), numbness, and tingling around mouth and finger tips. Continued hyperventilation
will result in nausea, lightheadedness, fainting, and cramping of the hands. This problem is, medically, nonserious. However, these symptoms can be quite bothersome to the patient and are many times recurrent. Evaluation is recommended for any first bout (or protracted attack) of an anxiety reaction with hyperventilation. Your physician will perform a history and physical examination in order to exclude any disease process that might present itself with rapid breathing (i.e. congestive heart failure, pulmonary embolism, etc.).
There are several methods of treating these attacks. Patients with documented anxiety attacks and hyperventilation have been shown to respond well to education about the problem. Patient rebreathing into a PAPER bag will frequently diminish the uncomfortable symptoms of hyperventilation (DO NOT use a plastic bag). Any stress management problems are best handled by a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, or mental health counselor.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Patients prone to anxiety reactions or hyperventilation should avoid the use of stimulants such as caffeine, cocaine, diet pills, or decongestants. Alcohol use has been known to precipitate anxiety reactions in susceptible individuals.
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