Introduction
Hyperventilation is a breathing anomaly that makes the body’s ventilation to go beyond the required optimal metabolic demand. This condition makes individuals to over-breath, leading to many physiological changes associated with the normal functioning of the body. In most cases, it can cause giddiness, unsteadiness muscle spasms, and quivering of fingers and sections surrounding the mouth.
Medically, such effects result because of carbon dioxide deficiencies in the body, as most individuals who suffer this condition will exhale more carbon dioxide quantities, which exceed the produced amounts from the body’s metabolic activities. It is important to note that, although most individuals may associate hyperventilation to panic attacks medically, these are two distinct health complications, although they share some symptoms (Vorvick, 2010, p.1 and Fenner, 2000, pp. 287-288).
Causes
Hyperventilation occurs in specific medical conditions, for example, heart attack and metabolic acidosis; a health complication characterized by increased blood acid levels, caused by increased hydrogen ions amount in the blood. Primary causes of this problem are either diseases or physiological anomalies, which include anaphylaxis, chest injuries, chronic obstructive pulmonary ailments, anxiety, Pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, heart ailments, stress, and psychological stress (Medicine Net, 2010, p.1 and WebMD, 2010, pp.1-5).
Symptoms
Medically, there exist two types of hyperventilation namely sudden and everyday. In the former case, detection is easy, because it has intense symptoms. The case is very different in the latter type, because it is a continuous occurrence, making it to lack a detecting criterion. Common symptoms associated with this complication include dry mouth, hyperpnea, belching, dizziness, irritable bowel syndrome wheezing, sleep anomalies, muscle spasms, and suffocation feelings (Rosh & Kern, 2009, p.1).
Treatment
Diagnosis of hyperventilation depends on laboratory test outcomes; tests that include arterial blood sample testing, perfusion scans, and chest CT scans. The primary role of these tests is to ascertain the presence of other ailments associated with hyperventilation, for further medical treatment.
Treatment involves guidance on methods of dealing with this complication, taking of medication for example, Diazepam and Midazolam, behavior therapy, and psychological counseling. In addition to specialized hospital treatment, home based care for example, controlled exercise and use of breathing control methods, are treatment remedies to this problem (Brashear, 1983, pp. 267-272).
Conclusion
Because of the serious nature of medical complications associated with hyperventilation, it is advisable for sufferers to seek immediate medical attention once they suspect they are under attack.
Reference List
Brashear, R. E. (1983). Hyperventilation syndrome. Lung Journal, 161(1), 257-273.
Fenner, W. (2000). Quick reference to veterinary medicine. Baltimore, Maryland: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Web.
Medicine Net. (2010). Hyperventilation: symptoms and signs index. Medicine Net. Web.
Rosh, B., & Kern, B. (2009). Hyperventilation Syndrome. E-medicine. Web.
Vorvick, L. (2010). Hyperventilation. National Library of Medicine. Web.
WebMD. (2010). Hyperventilation. EMedicineHealth. Web.