Hyperventilation |
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DESCRIPTION
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In hyperventilation (hi-per-ven-tuh-LAY-shun), your breathing is so rapid that it upsets the balance of gases in your blood. One of these gases is carbon dioxide. Hyperventilation reduces the carbon dioxide level in the blood, causing symptoms that resemble a heart attack.
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CAUSES
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Hyperventilation is usually brought on by anxiety, stress, or hysteria.
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SYMPTOMS
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Common symptoms are shortness of breath; fast breathing; chest pain; weakness; dizziness; and numbness and tingling around the mouth, hands, and feet. You may have blurred vision, feel like your heart is racing, have muscle tightness in your hands and feet, or feel faint.
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CARE
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Since it is hard to avoid stress, try to control it. Learn new ways to relax (deep breathing, relaxing muscles, meditation, or biofeedback). Talk to someone about things that upset you.
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